Starting in their preteen years, girls' self-confidence and natural exuberance can be crushed by a variety of negative influences, according to a study by the American Association of University Women. Increased body awareness, along with pressure from the media and social networks, can lead to a feeling of being judged unfavorably by peers. A self-esteem group can help an adolescent girl feel heard, supported and appreciated. Girls with healthy self-esteem are more likely to be successful in school, less afraid of taking positive risks and less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol.
Instructions
Start a Local Chapter of a National Group
- 1 Visit the website of Girls Circle (see Resources), an organization that trains adults who work with teen and preteen girls to become facilitators of self-esteem groups, to learn how to start a local chapter. According to its website, Girls Circle takes a strength-based, skill-building approach to developing self-esteem in girls.
2 Get information on starting a local chapter of the Girl Scouts of America's self-esteem program at its website (see Resources). One of the oldest girl power organizations, its self-esteem program for girls ages 8-17 is called "uniquely ME!" Created in 2002, the program helps girls develop a stronger sense of self through exercises and activity booklets.
3 Start a Girls on the Run group in your area by visiting the organization's website (see Resources). Girls on the Run is an established national initiative that fosters a sense of accomplishment through achieving running and fitness goals, including training for a 3.1-mile running event.
Create Your Own Girls' Self-Esteem Group
- 4 Determine which age range you hope to serve with your group; the concerns of girls ages 9-11 are very different from girls ages 15-17. Find a supervisor or facilitator, either yourself, or someone else; ideally, this should be an adult with teaching or counseling experience.
5 Decide what form the group will take. Some possibilities include a simple discussion group where girls talk about issues and share concerns, a group that functions more like a team focused around achieving a particular fitness goal or a group that teaches girls to be confident about money and investing.
6 Plan activities, such as a discussion about how the media idealizes a certain body type, naming particular entertainers or television programs, or learning how to create and stick to a budget or open a savings account.
7 Promote the group. Partner with teachers, coaches and school administrators to get the word out and recruit interested members.
