5 ways for parents to empower their daughters

5 ways for parents to empower their daughters 5 ways for parents to empower their daughters While opportunities for women have advanced significantly in recent decades, studies reflect that the path to personal independence and growth isn’t always smooth -   starting in early childhood up through high school.Gender stereotypes persist. According to a survey of 1,900 girls and young women between 7 and 21, conducted by the charity Girlguiding, many feel that pressure from social media, TV, friends, teachers, and parents affects how they think and act. Another study in the  Journal of Adolescent Health  reported that stereotypes of girls were reinforced by schools, parents and the media, thereby limiting their mobility and access to opportunities.One possible answer is for parents to empower their daughters from a young age.  We parents need to take the necessary time from our busy lives to find out what our daughters are experiencing on a daily basis.We must break down barriers to success early on. Otherwise, girls frequently surrender their ‘surplus’ qualities before they even leave grade school, because they feel they won’t be accepted if they are “too much.” They are not allowed too many gifts for fear of alienating boys and competing with other girls. This has to stop.Sheri Engler, the author/illustrator of The Pearls of Wisdom: A Fairy Tale Guide to Life’s Magic Secrets for All Ages  offers  five ways parents can empower their daughters and help them grow into strong, successful women are:Explain the social dynamicHelp them understand the reasons why boys may be intimidated by powerful girls, and why girls may become jealous and pull down a girl who has too much.Help them avoid social programmingMost forms of mass media bombard girls with destructive messages. With character development so important, parents need to offer more positive influences. Discouraging Facebook is a good place to start “due to its entrainment of a ‘me-oriented’ society.”Provide social alternativesConnecting with other parents and families who hold si milar values is one option. Parents need to find out what’s really going on with their daughters, both at home and at school. Perhaps consider online or homeschooling if your child is being affected by negative conditioning from peers and/or misguided authority figures. Sadly, damaging messages come from every direction.Teach them to help othersParents can role-model strengthening values. These values could be exemplified by going together to volunteer in soup kitchens, to foster homeless animals, or to visit lonely, old people in nursing homes. Learning compassion for others supports strong self-esteem through character building.Help them identify their unique desires and abilitiesEncourage pride in being who they are on an authentic level. Help them experience life’s many aspects so they may explore their natural abilities and interests, while paying particular attention to what truly brings them joy - because that is usually where their authentic selves reside.We need to pre vent damage early on instead of trying to fix it after it’s too late.