Give teenage girls a self-esteem boost

Friday, 30 March 2012 1:56 PM

Poor self-esteem among today’s girls and young women could, by 2050, be costing the nation 14% of our female managers in UK businesses, according to new research from Dove. Their poll found 11-17 year old girls lack confidence and think they are 'average' at best.

The shocking discontentment amongst young girls about their appearance is at the heart of the issue. Nearly half (45%) describe themselves as ‘average’ and ‘ordinary’ with a further 10% feeling ‘plain’, ‘unattractive’ and ‘ugly’.

In schools all over the country, Dove will be holding self-esteem workshops and any Dove product bought between March 26 to May 15 will help to give a girl a self-esteem education. This will be delivered through a Dove donation of a minimum of £250,000 to BEAT - the UK’s leading charity for those affected by eating disorders - to deliver workshops in schools.

Karen Gill and Maxine Benson from Everywoman (an organisation that challenges and changes the mindsets of women in business) said they were saddened by the research but said it was repairable. “It should be every woman’s mission to help eradicate self-esteem issues and this is why we are so passionate about the Dove Self-Esteem Programme," they said.

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