An emerging body of evidence suggests that girls and young women experience significant barriers to achieving their potential through lingering gender stereotypes, risks of abuse in ‘dating’ relationships at an ever younger age, and sexualisation within the media and society in general. All have been shown to have a negative impact on the self-esteem, educational achievement, aspirations and personal safety of girls and young women.
She was shy and didn’t believe in herself at all at first, but now she’s much more confident in the group, has made friends and likes to help others
Those studying the phenomenon recommend effective engagement with young people – especially girls and young women to develop their resilience and self-confidence, to support them in making informed choices and tackling the barriers they face and to offer opportunities to explore alternative, positive pathways in life. YWCA Scotland is well-placed to deliver just such activities to make a positive difference in the lives of young women, girls and their communities.
Bibliography
American Psychological Association, Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls. (2007) Report of the APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association http://www.apa.org/pi/women/programs/girls/report-full.pdf
Barter, C., McCarry, M, Berridge, D. and Evans, K. (2009) Partner Exploitation and Violence in Teenage Intimate Relationships. Bristol: Bristol University in partnership with NSPCC. http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/research/findings/partner_exploitation_and_violence_report_wdf70129.pdf
Daily Mail Reporter. (2011) “Teenage Girls Are Targeted by 'New Generation of Domestic Abusers', Top Prosecutor Warns.” Daily Mail (online) 13 April 2011 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1376358/Teenage-girls-targeted-new-generation-domestic-abusers-prosecutor-warns.html#ixzz1KAzIBGfB
Nancy Lombard’s forthcoming report on attitudes towards violence against women of 11 and 12 year olds (Edinburgh Napier University) http://www.heraldscotland.com/blogs/scotland-now/lucy-adams-children-s-views-are-stuck-in-the-past-1.1006673
Papadopolous, L. (2010) Sexualisation of Young People – A Review. London: Home Office
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100413151441/http://homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/Sexualisation-of-young-people.html
Pearson, L (2011) “Teenagers Suffer the Kicks of Abusive Relationships.” The Guardian. (online) 28 January 2011. http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/joepublic/2011/jan/28/teenage-kicks-relationship-abuse
Sivarajasingam, V., Nasr, I. And Shepherd, J. (2010) “Gender Inequality in the Risk of Violence: Material Deprivation is Linked to Higher Risk for Adolescent Girls.” Emergency Medical Journal. Vol. 27, p.p. 811-814 http://emj.bmj.com/content/27/11/811.abstract
Vasagar, J. (2011) “Schools Failing to Help Girls Escape Career Stereotypes, Says Ofsted.” The Guardian (online) 12 April 2011. http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/apr/12/schools-girls-careers-ofsted-survey
