Girls' Attitudes Survey
A snapshot of girls’ and young women’s lives
Every year we ask over 2,000 girls and young women to tell us how they feel about their everyday lives.
What they say, on the pressures they face and the issues they care about, forms the Girl’s Attitudes Survey – our flagship research supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
This year has been like no other since we started the survey in 2009. We began our fieldwork before lockdown in early March and finished it in April, after schools closed due to Covid-19. This means our data spans two different realities. Yet some themes remain the same: girls and young women tell us they face persistent and unfair barriers to being happy and confident. And they want to speak up on the decisions that affect their lives - especially in these extraordinary times.
Girls face pressures about their appearance
I find it hard to go through Insta because everyone looks perfect and it lowers my self-confidence - Young woman, aged 19-21
Ways girls can explore this topic
- Media critic interest badge (Guides)
- Self-care interest badge (Rangers)
- Explore Self Believers - one of five topics we’re taking action on as part of Future Girl. We’ll be working with girls and young women to create a world where they feel free to be themselves.
But youth groups are a space where they can be themselves
I’m able to express myself without being judged - Young woman, aged 17-18
Ways girls can explore this topic:
- Guiding history interest badge (Guides)
- Explore Adventurers - one of our five Future Girl topics. It's all about making fun and adventures open to every girl.
Girls say their voices are still not heard
I want to stop being told I can’t do things because I’m a girl - Girl, aged 7-8
Ways girls can explore this topic:
- Speaking out interest badge (Brownies)
- My rights interest badge (Brownies)
- Explore Barrier Breakers - one of our five Future Girl topics that aims to create a world without barriers for girls and young women.
Girls want to see more women in sport
Women’s sports should be more supported - Young woman, aged 13-16
Ways girls can explore this topic:
- Agility interest badge (Rainbows)
- Nature interest badge (Rainbows)
- Dancing interest badge (Brownies)
- Fitness interest badge (Guides)
- Sports interest badge (Rangers)
- Explore Adventurers - one of our five Future Girl topics. It's all about making fun and adventures open to every girl.
Girls want to see an end to fast fashion
Governments need to take the lead and make big changes, even if it upsets businesses - Girl, aged 11-12
Ways girls can explore this topic:
- Recycling interest badge (Rainbows)
- Zero waste interest badge (Brownies)
- Conscious consumer interest badge (Guides)
- Upcycling interest badge (Guides)
- Explore Planet Protectors - one of our five Future Girl topics all about protecting our planet and the animals we share it with.
Read the full report
Download the Girls' Attitude Survey 2020 to read the full story
Read our previous reports to find out what girls tell us about their lives.
