It doesn't take a special occasion for parents to celebrate their daughters' and granddaughters' accomplishments. And thinking about how we raise our girl child daily might help you foster her confidence and self-esteem.
Even though women account for more than half of the world's population, females still hold less than half of the leadership positions in Fortune 500 firms (although the numbers are gradually improving). So, the question does come in, how does one raise a strong and confident girl child? Here are three things to take note of:
1. How Are You Talking To Your Girl Child?
It's all too easy to fall into the habit of complimenting a girl's appearance ("You're so gorgeous!"), classifying her behaviour as "excellent," or applauding her on a job well done. Instead, adopt a growth mentality and encourage your daughter to learn from her mistakes and disappointments. Your daughter's confidence will build if she is willing to take risks, understanding that the results might not be ideal and that she will be loved and praised for her efforts regardless of the final result.
Similarly, parents may fall into the trap of dismissing a strong-willed girl by calling her "bossy." Those strong opinions, on the other hand, are the beginnings of a probable future CEO's leadership abilities. Start at home by encouraging your daughter to speak up for herself and others. When she has a strong opinion or disagrees with you, you may boost her confidence by truly listening to her and not disregarding her point of view. You are preparing her to have the confidence to communicate her opinions in future classrooms and boardrooms by demonstrating the worth of her thoughts and ideas.
Encourage your daughter to participate in physical play that is risk-free. Climbing trees, getting muddy, and participating in sports as a child instil trust in her body's power and strength.
2. How Is The World Talking To Your Girl Child?
Commercials and media influences infiltrate even the lives of young girls. Your daughter will pick up on messages about how girls "should" act and how they "should" look. Your best protection against these messages as a parent is to discuss them with your child ahead of time. Pause a TV show or internet video when a commercial comes on and ask your daughter, "What is this ad selling?" How does this advertisement correspond to our everyday lives?”
Recognise gender stereotypes in the media that your family consumes. A study titled ‘Adolescent Girls And Leadership: The Impact Of Confidence, Competition, And Failure’ published in The International Journal of Adolescence and Youth in 2012 says that "girls may find difficulty when confronted with experiences that are outside their expected gender domain". It further says that this ‘gender effect’ may be due to the intentional or unintentional behaviour of society, including parents and teachers. For instance, maths, science and sports are considered masculine subjects, which may lead to girls not developing the skills related to these.
Fill your house with books, toys, and décor that don't fit into any gender stereotypes (e.g., buy books about female construction workers and encourage girls to engage in math and science activities). Avoid using terms like "princess" or "tomboy" or phrases like "Young ladies don't behave that way" while referring to your youngster.
3. What Are You Modelling For Your Girl Child?
You are certainly a role model for the lady your daughter will become if you are a woman raising a girl. During difficult times, you have the opportunity to demonstrate resilience, strength, and confidence.
- Allow her to watch you asserting yourself with other ladies and men in a courteous manner.
- Instead of discussing your body's size or weight in front of your daughter, speak about its strength, comfort, health, and thankfulness for how it gets you through the day.
- Ask your daughter: What difference do you want to make in the world someday when you talk about how you spend your days at work? What issue are you attempting to resolve?
Here's to raising self-assured, resilient females who will solve problems and lead us in the future.