The Problem With Girls Self-Esteem

The teenager will avoid eye contact with the rest of the class while doing a presentation.

She’ll speak quietly to avoid embarrassment not wanting to attract attention to herself.

And it’s not because she’s shy.

‘3/4’ girls admit to being affected by what people think of them.’ Says student from Oregon State University. ‘ And it increases to 98% by the time they are 20.’ She says researching the behaviour of girls aged between 12 and 20.

Middle and high school students are constantly stressing about other people’s opinions of them. Unknowingly lowering their self-esteem and increasing their insecurity. Everyday they are hiding their tears pretending to be as happy as a child walking into The Magic Kingdom. It is showing us that they are pretending to be okay when they really are not.

The students of Oregon State University initially learnt about the insecurity among teen girls when one students relatives talked about her fear of getting judged in school. After noticing what a large issue this is she surveyed many girls and found out the 85% of girls are insecure. And more than 50% say it’s because of external pressure from others.

That is what should worry people. Insecurity is also shaped from how you are treated at home, the kind of environment you live in. ‘Insecurity is very present in the 21st century’ say a researcher from NYCU. ‘And it only drives people away from you. People won’t want to spend that much time with you anymore. ‘

Indeed, experts say insecurity and peer pressure can limit your opportunities and make it more difficult for you to make friends. In addition, insecurity will add stress to you lifestyle therefore causing more people to judge you. And they also suggest that when you are an insecure teen who cares about others opinions on you, it last fir many years and will not just disappear.

3/4 teens worry about others opinions and only 1/4 teens acknowledge that everyone is good at something and bad at something which is why ‘no one should judge anyone.’ The teen continued saying ‘ I could easily judge you on something you’re bad at, but I don’t.’

For the most part girls go around everyday without anyone knowing that they are insecure. 6/7 say they think they hide their insecurities well and 80% of girls say they don’t notice if their friends are insecure about something.

These girls don’t know themselves why they are so insecure, or why they care about what other people think of them. But the girl who walks through the crowded hallway with her head down looking for any sign of judgement among peers. However this same girl is being admired for her bravery and her confidence by one of her peers, completely unaware of her insecurities eating her alive.

But now, students are fed up with their insecurities and are getting help from their friends to make them more confident and less worried about what others are saying. One child from UWCSEA writes down things the feels good about everyday. Another student remembers all of the great things she has done whenever she feels like she hasn’t done something right. These are just simple things that anyone one insecure can do too.

And if nothing works, just remember that you are not alone.