Girlguiding UK uncovers a generation under pressure
The Girls’ Attitudes Survey, our
ground-breaking report on the views and opinions of today’s girls
and young women has launched. Visit the Girls' Attitudes
Survey website to find out the results.
'When so many young girls feel that the pressure to be
attractive is one of the most difficult aspects of their lives, it
is clear that something needs to change.' - Jo Swinson, MP
The Girls’ Attitudes Survey is a unique snapshot of the
opinions, attitudes and experiences of girls and young women in
2010. The 2010 survey findings highlight the pressure to be
attractive, thereby supporting Girlguiding UK’s ongoing petition
for a kitemark to distinguish between airbrushed and natural
images, launched in August 2010.
Sign our online
petition.
A 40 second video has been produced to highlight the report, it
can be viewed on our Youtube
channel.
Key findings
Girls say that smoking and binge drinking are the two most
serious health issues they face today and stress is a major
contributing factor to girls demonstrating these behaviours.
- 82% of girls aged 11-21 said that smoking is a serious health
issue for today’s girls.
- 81% cited that alcohol abuse is a serious issue for today’s
girls.
- 50% think that girls smoke to relieve stress.
- More than half (54%) think that girls drink alcohol to relieve
their worries.
- 1 in 5 (18%) would not seek help for smoking or alcohol
problems.
- 78% of girls believe that being drunk is the most common reason
for having unprotected sex.
The pressure to be attractive is still a major part of girls’
lives, supporting Girlguiding UK’s call for a kitemark to
distinguish between airbrushed and natural images
- Around half of girls (47%) believe that the pressure to look
attractive is the most negative part of being female.
- The 2009 survey found that 42% of girls had been on strict
diets. In 2010 girls were asked why. 75% said that
strict dieting took place to be attractive to others with 66%
claiming it was because of the media portrayal of women.
- Girls from lower performing schools place more importance on
being attractive compared to girls from higher performing
schools
- 33% from lower performing schools compared with 20% from higher
performing schools.
- Additionally, girls from lower performing schools also thought
it more important to be rich (24% vs 3%) and famous (32% vs 14%)
than girls from higher performing schools.
- Being fit and active was selected by more than half (54%) of
girls as an important factor in being successful in life.
The quality of girls’ relationships is more important to them
than having a traditional family set-up. However, bullying at
school and problems with friends are still a concern.
- Over three quarters (78%) of girls aged 7-21 believe that
single parents can be just as successful as married couples in
bringing up children.
- Only 20% think that married couples make better parents.
- Nearly four fifths of girls say that the most important thing
for a ‘good’ family is having family members who support and spend
time with them.
- Nearly three quarters (71%) of girls think that having good
friends is the key to a successful life.
- However, for a third of 7-16 year olds bullying or problems
with friends are the worst thing about school. For girls aged 16-21
who work or are not in education, bullying and problems with
colleagues is still a concern for a quarter (25%).
Despite the recession, following several major natural disasters
during 2010 girls have a keen sense of compassion and duty towards
others. Around two thirds of girls (64%) believe that the UK should
be providing more financial aid to countries facing disasters such
as earthquakes and hurricanes.
Cathy Fraser Girlguiding UK spokesperson and head of Girlguiding
UK’s youth panel Advocate said: 'Following on from the fascinating
insight that last years’ survey gave us into the views and opinions
of girls today, the Girls Attitudes Survey 2010 delves deeper into
the reasons behind some of last years’ outcomes.
We know that girls are growing up in ever changing, increasingly
complicated times and, as adults who care about their experiences,
we must listen to their views. Girls are telling us that the world
they are living in can be extremely stressful, which leads to a
range of unhealthy behaviours and outcomes. It is vital that we
support girls and young women to develop their self-esteem and
resilience so they can cope with it. By understanding the issues
that girls and young women are facing we can support them to
navigate these complex factors and become strong and confident
members of society.”
Leah Parsons, member of Girlguiding UK’s youth panel Advocate
said: “Our petition to label airbrushed images came out of some of
the findings of the Girls Attitudes Survey last year and it is
interesting to see further evidence of the pressure on girls and
young women reflected in this years’ results. The survey is a
chance for people to hear what girls really think about the issues
that affect our lives so it will be great to see how this develops
and what kind of impact it could have.”