The Maternal Influence and Beyond: Who Inspires Today's Teenage Girls?
In a world where progress for UK teenage girls is stalling and social media influencers often promote toxic ideals, the question of who shapes young female lives has never been more critical. Broadcaster Catherine Carr, in her BBC Radio 4 series About The Girls, discovered that while mothers and grandmothers are pivotal, the responsibility shouldn't rest solely on them. Her insights challenge society to do more in supporting the next generation.
Close to Home: The Power of Family Role Models
When Carr interviewed over 150 girls aged 13 to 19 from across the UK, she found that their role models were overwhelmingly found within their immediate circles. Mothers, aunties, sisters, cousins, teachers, coaches, and grandmothers topped the list, with global celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Taylor Swift receiving only occasional mentions, primarily for their business savvy. During the tumultuous teenage years, girls described finding a "sisterhood" among these women, offering solidarity and respite from peer conflicts and insecurities.
Girls studied mothers and grandmothers who had broken "their own glass ceilings," such as being the first in their family to finish school or attend university. These tenacious women provided firsthand lessons in success and leadership. Cousins slightly older on the path to independence shared insights about careers and possibilities, guiding younger relatives as they explored their dreams online. Witnessing mothers overcome setbacks, like being passed over for promotions before finally succeeding, taught valuable lessons about resilience and navigating the world as a woman.
The Impact of Social Media and Real-Life Mentors
Beyond family, girls were bolstered by other women in their communities, including school staff, youth workers, and sports coaches. In contrast to the distorted world of social media, where girls feel pressure to conform to a uniform version of femininity, these real-life mentors fostered authenticity. Dr Hannah Yelin from Oxford Brooks University highlighted the harm of this "dissociative act," where girls observe themselves performing rather than being true to who they are.
Social media role models were often seen as "unrealistic," leading to feelings of inadequacy and inaction. In comparison, dance teachers and netball coaches encouraged girls to be loud, expressive, confident, and full of fun. As one netballer explained, "I find it easier to express myself on a court. At school, you're expected to be more perfect. When you are playing sports, no one is trying to be perfect." This environment made such role models easier to emulate and more impactful.
A Call to Action for All Women
Carr's interviews revealed that girls are not necessarily seeking to "have it all," as confirmed by research from the Girls Day School Trust, which found that girls prioritize job enjoyment over wealth if it compromises their values or sanity. Instead, they value the "trail of breadcrumbs" left by older women, showing how to use the 'superpower' of being a woman to lead differently than men.
Every woman has the potential to be a significant adult in a girl's life, whether by supporting sports clubs, youth centres, or organisations like Inspiring Girls, which brings role models into schools to expand career ambitions beyond gender stereotypes. Carr listened to sixth formers discuss sexist criticisms faced by female politicians and vow to use these lessons as their own guide. Knowing that girls are watching should inspire all women to share their expertise and experiences, helping shape lives in unimaginable ways.
Catherine Carr's series All About Girls is available on BBC Sounds, offering a profound look into the minds of teenage girls and the women who influence them.
