When mom and/or dad never tells you that you are beautiful, never compliments you on your looks or personality, never tells you that you are smart and can do anything you set your mind to, or never encourages you to be anything you want in life, the problem begins.
These young girls will grow up seeking love and admiration from anyone (always the wrong person)and will end up doing something stupid and unbecoming. I speak from experience. It wasn't until recently that my mom told me that I was smart and beautiful. I asked her why she's never mentioned it before and her reply was, "I just didn't feel comfortable speaking to you in that way."
I believe that we need to encourage our young girls, tell them that their smart and beautiful. We need to stop fearing being corny or melodramatic. I am constantly telling my son that he is handsome and intelligent and "I know you can do it!" out of the fear that, otherwise, he will grow to be one of the many men in my family who are slackers (for lack of a better word).
--Shelacious--
I would love more information about the Girls Rites of Passage. I am the youth and young adult director at my church and I think this would be perfect for my girls!
|