As the mother of two teenage daughters, I constantly strive to understand their self-perceptions. My goal is to instill in them the confidence to embrace their individuality and recognize their inherent worth. However, there are days when I fear the societal pressures surrounding girls and women overshadow my efforts.
My eldest daughter is on track to earn her Associate’s degree from community college at just 17 years old. With impressive grades and a spot on the Dean’s List, she is undeniably a bright and capable young woman. Yet, she often questions her intelligence, asking me if I believe she is smart enough. I find myself puzzled by this—how can a girl who is halfway through a college degree at such a young age doubt her abilities?
Sadly, she is not alone in this struggle. A recent survey involving nearly 11,000 girls aged 10 to 18 revealed a startling trend: one-third of girls with a perfect 4.0 GPA do not feel smart enough to pursue their dream careers. This raises a critical question: why would high-achieving students doubt their own intelligence when it comes to their aspirations? Could it be that they set exceptionally high standards for themselves? Or do they feel discouraged by the male-dominated nature of many of these professions, leading to self-doubt?
I ponder this with my daughter, who is particularly interested in fields like architecture and film music composition—both areas where men still hold a significant majority. Does the lack of female role models in these industries contribute to her uncertainty? Does she believe that she needs to be not just smart but extraordinarily exceptional to succeed as a woman in these fields?
This concern extends beyond just my daughter. Many girls eyeing careers in traditionally male-dominated sectors—like computer programming, engineering, and politics—might feel they need to surpass their male counterparts in qualifications to be taken seriously.
Moreover, the survey highlighted additional issues: 62 percent of high-achieving girls reported hesitating to share their opinions or disagree with others due to a desire to be liked. While most expressed an affinity for leadership roles, many shy away from them for fear of being labeled as “bossy.” It’s hard to recall a time when I’ve heard a young man express similar concerns about leadership or being perceived negatively for asserting himself.
As parents, we play a crucial role in helping our daughters recognize their strength, intelligence, and capabilities. However, it’s essential to acknowledge that despite progress, we still face significant challenges. Many girls may find themselves on paths that require them to be trailblazers, and not every girl is comfortable with that pressure. When a third of straight-A students feel inadequate in their intelligence, it indicates a pressing need for change in the messages our daughters are receiving.
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In summary, the findings that a significant number of high-achieving girls doubt their intelligence shed light on a broader issue: the need for cultural change to empower young women in their aspirations.
Keyphrase: Girls with 4.0 GPA self-doubt
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