GIRLS NEED PARENTS AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WHO:

• Serve as positive role models by showing respect for girls and women, and expressing confidence in girls' aspirations.
• Embrace all aspects of girls' identities- including their sexuality, their perspectives, and their priorities-and provide a respectful context where girls can raise questions and voice their concerns.
• Encourage girls to do well in school by discussing their studies with them, exploring potential areas of interest, supporting their achievements, and becoming involved with girls' schools.
• Encourage girls to explore their strengths and develop their talents in all fields, especially those not traditionally thought of as "female."
• Advocate for equal programs, facilities, equipment, and publicity for girls and boys in school- and community-based athletic programs, and support the involvement of girls who have traditionally not seen themselves as athletes.
• Help girls to respect their bodies and discourage the development of eating disorders by rebutting negative cultural messages about body image, and encouraging healthy behaviors.
• Provide access to non-judgmental information and resources to prevent unwanted pregnancies, and the transmission of HIV/AIDS and other STDS. Offer guidance and support to help girls make healthy decisions about a range of types of sexual activity.
• From a young age, foster girls' sense of entitlement to respectful treatment, and teach them that they can speak out against behaviors of others that hurt them.
• Support girls' involvement in community groups and extra-curricular activities, help them to develop leadership skills, and encourage them to take action to promote constructive social change.
• Raise boys in ways that foster their respect for girls and women.

This site was last updated on 11/24/2004.

Copyright © GENaustin, Inc. 2001. All rights reserved. GEN, GENaustin, and GENaustin logos used and displayed herein are registered and unregistered trademarks of GENaustin, Inc. All other trademarks, service marks and logos used herein are the property of their respective owners. Email us at office@genaustin.org.