Girlguiding, the leading youth organisation for girls and young women in the UK has launched its 15th annual Girls’ Attitudes Survey: the UK’s largest survey of girls and young women.
Key findings
· 17% of girls & young women aged 7-21 feel very happy - down from 40% in 2009.
· 89% of girls & young women aged 7-21 feel generally worried or anxious - up from 78% in 2016.
· 59% of girls & young women aged 7-21 feel happy with how they look - down from 72% in 2009.
· 62% of girls & young women aged 7-21 have been criticized or had mean things said about how they look - up from 49% in 2016.
· 81% of girls & young women aged 11-21 have experienced some form of threatening or upsetting behaviour online - up from 65% in 2018.
· 35% of girls & young women aged 7-21 say they feel part of their local community - up from 29% in 2011.
· 48% of girls & young women aged 11-16 think it’ll be harder to get a job when they leave education than it was for young people in 2018
Maria said “These are stark findings. Girls’ happiness levels have reached an all-time low and there are areas in girls' lives that are worse than when the survey began in 2009. Girls are worried about harmful content online, sexual harassment, the impact of appearance pressures, and the increased cost of living.
Our young people deserve better, we must improve their opportunities and help them have safe and happy lives. By tackling sexual harassment, online harms and appearance pressures girls face.”
I am working together with cross party MPs Sex Ed Forum and Brook Sex Ed charity to make the case for high-quality, inclusive RSHE, that empowers children and young people to thrive.”
Since 2009, Girlguiding has released its annual Girls’ Attitudes Survey documenting how girls feel about their everyday lives, the pressures they face and the issues they care about. Over 2,500 girls aged 7 to 21 across the UK contributed to this year’s Girls’ Attitudes Survey.
Girlguiding is the UK’s largest youth organisation dedicated completely to girls, with around 370,000 members. Girls can do anything. We help them know that, whether they’re 4 or 18 or in between. All girls have a home at Girlguiding - whoever they are, and wherever they are. We show them a world of possibilities, big and small. We help them think big and be bold in a space where they can be themselves, get creative, explore, and have fun. We’re a powerful collective voice – with girls, led by girls – changing the world for the better.