Upon researching our topic, we have learnt a lot
about the pressures that teenage girls face. Here are the main facts and
statistics:
“Most damningly girls feel that adults are
out of touch with new threats to their wellbeing - leaving them struggling to
find the adequate support and information they need to remain resilient in the
face of increasing pressures. 82 per cent of girls aged 11 to 21 say adults
don't recognise the pressure they are under. But despite the challenges taking
a negative toll on their lives - girls remain hopeful and determined to change
the world for young women.”
General Facts:
Girls'
mental well-being worries start from as young as seven – escalating as they get
older with two in five girls aged 11 to 21 needing to seek help with mental
health concerns.
62
per cent of girls aged 11 to 21 know a girl their age who has experienced a
mental health problem, while almost half of girls aged 17 to 21 (46 per cent)
have personally needed help with their mental health.
82%
of girls and young women aged 11-21 feel that adults don’t recognise the
pressures that young people are under. (http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/pdf/GAS_15_website.pdf)
81%
of girls and young women aged 11 to 21 reportthat in the past week they
have experienced or observed some form of everyday sexism. (http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/pdf/GAS_15_website.pdf)
The
top wish among all teen girls is for their parents to communicate better with
them. This includes frequent and more open conversations.
Body Image
What is body image?
This can include a person’s thoughts and
feelings about their weight, shape, skin colour, size, height and their
appearance more broadly. The development of body image is complex and research
demonstrates that it can be shaped by an individual’s mind-set and biology, as
well as the influence of peer groups, family, media, and the society and
culture in which we live. Two people could look identical but have a very
different body image as a result of these influences.
7
in 10 girls believe that they are not good enough or don’t measure up in some
way, including their looks, performance in school and relationships with
friends and family members. (https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-teens-and-self-esteem)
Among
high school students, 44% of girls and 15% of guys are attempting to lose
weight. (https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-teens-and-self-esteem)
Over
70% of girls age 15 to 17 avoid normal daily activities, such as attending
school, when they feel bad about their looks. (https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-teens-and-self-esteem)
Over
80% of 10 year old girls are afraid of being fat.
One
in three girls would consider cosmetic surgery. - Girl Guiding UK, Girls
Attitude Survey 2010
More
than 90 percent of girls – 15 to 17 years – want to change at least
one aspect of their physical appearance, with body weight ranking the highest.
-Girl Guiding UK, Girls Attitude Survey 2010
42% of
girls and young women feel that the most negative part about being a female is
the pressure to look attractive. - Girl Guiding UK, Girls Attitude Survey
2010
42%
of girls and young women feel that the most negative part about being a female
is the pressure to look attractive.
One
in four 7 year old girls have tried to lose weight at least once.
90%
of girls and young women believe that TV and magazines focus too much on what
women look like rather than what they achieve - GirlGuiding UK
Education
Seven
in ten girls believe they are not good enough or do not measure up in some way,
including their looks, performance in school and relationships with friends and
family members. (http://www.isacs.org/misc_files/SelfEsteem_Report%20-%20Dove%20Campaign%20for%20Real%20Beauty.pdf)
70%
of girls aged 7 to 12 agree that boys and girls do have equal chances in life.
Sexuality:
Recent
surveys of teenage girls and young women find that roughly 15% of young females
today self-identify as lesbian or bisexual, compared with about 5% of young
males who identify as gay or bisexual. (https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/sax-sex/201004/why-are-so-many-girls-lesbian-or-bisexual)
According to the International AIDS Charity,
Avert, studies have shown that the average age gay and lesbian young people
begin the process of coming out is now 16, compared to the 1980's when it was
between 19 and 23. (http://www.webmd.boots.com/sex-relationships/features/coming-out-teenage-sexual-orientation?page=3)
These are a number of the issues we will be addressing during our documentary. Follow us on twitter @prettypressures or like our Facebook page Facebook.com/prettylittlepressures for more information!
No comments:
Post a Comment