A balanced relationship with fear is essential, but are we inadvertently teaching girls to be afraid? If life is a sequence of calculated risks, are we setting girls up for failure by instilling fear rather than bravery? The answer is yes.
Studies indicate that girls are often encouraged to play it safe rather than confront their fears. For instance, research published in The Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology found that parents frequently cautioned their daughters against the dangers of activities like climbing down a fire pole, whereas they were less likely to offer the same warnings to their sons. Additionally, parents tended to assist their daughters more, while providing their sons with instructions on how to tackle challenges independently. This suggests that parents may unintentionally promote greater risk-taking behavior in boys compared to girls.
Instilling self-doubt in girls at a young age contributes to a lifelong narrative that women should be apprehensive about situations that men are often encouraged to approach with confidence. Author Lisa Carter explores this theme in her article for a leading publication, titled “Why Do We Teach Girls That It’s Cute to Be Scared?” As a trailblazing firefighter, Carter often faced the question, “Aren’t you scared?” Many women echoed similar sentiments when I shared my experiences as a journalist covering breaking news. Despite my attempts to highlight the bravery of first responders, the recurring response from women was, “Oh, I could never do something like that.” What other limitations are we imposing on girls and women?
During my years as a Girl Scout, I found more excitement in attending my brother’s Boy Scouts meetings. The boys were taught practical skills like handling firearms and using tools, while my peers and I focused on earning badges for activities like sewing and cooking. Although these skills are valuable, girls are often conditioned to be wary of riskier pursuits instead of learning how to navigate potentially dangerous situations. This mindset can persist into adulthood, hindering women from seizing opportunities that involve uncertainty.
The journey to success, whether professional or personal, often involves taking risks. Successful women frequently emphasize the importance of embracing risk in their careers. For example, executive Julie Anderson states, “You only learn when you take risks. I’ve always sought roles that others deemed impossible.”
Rather than advising girls to “be careful,” we should teach them to confront their fears and thrive despite them. Only by encouraging girls to embrace risk from a young age can we prepare them to make courageous choices throughout their lives.
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In summary, fostering an environment where girls are encouraged to take risks and face challenges can empower them to become confident women. By shifting the narrative away from fear and towards bravery, we equip girls to embrace opportunities and succeed in their endeavors.
Keyphrase: Teaching Girls to Embrace Risks
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