• Video sessions now available

    Celebrating 11 Years of Service!


  • Schedule Your Appointment Now

    Call or Email us Today!
    intake@thewellcounselinggroup.com
    317-471-8996


    Emotional Checkup
  • The Well Counseling & Consulting

    • Home
    • Meet Our Counselors
      • Yameen Chestnut
      • Adriaka Tina Jackson
      • Dr. Denita Hudson
      • Quamina Carter
      • Angela L Reese
      • Elizabeth White
      • Dr. Natalie Zolicoffer
      • LaDonna Wattley
      • Dr. Denise Hayes
      • Brittany Baker
      • Dachele Dycus
      • The Well Counseling Group
    • Our Consultants
      • Calvalyn Day
      • Reginald White
      • Elizabeth White
    • Resources
      • Drag’em Kicking and Screaming book
      • The Anxious Soul Book
    • Counseling Blog
    • In The News
    • Careers
    • Contact

    Why Setting a Strong Female Role Model is Important for Your Daughter

    October 3, 2022

    Every Halloween, little girls all over the country choose costumes that reflect what they want to be when they grow up. And each year we see many girls choosing to dress as princesses and fairies, kitty cats and maybe the odd super hero. Rarely do we see young girls dressing as executives, scientists, or world leaders.

    It can seem benign enough, but it does beg the question: are young girls still under the impression their choices in life are limited? And what can parents, particularly mothers, do to set a good example?

    The Importance of Role Models

    If you are a runner, you probably know that for most of human history no one was able to run the 4-minute mile. In 1940, someone actually got to 4:01, and for nine years that is where the record stayed, with not one runner in the entire world being able to break it.

    It seemed to everyone that the human body, no matter how fit and trained, would never be able to break that record. But then on May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister broke the 4-minute barrier, running the distance in 3:59.4.

    And then a very interesting thing happened: barely a year after this feat, someone else ran a mile under 4 minutes, and then more runners did it, and then even more. Now it’s common practice for runners to run the mile in under 4 minutes.

    Role models show others what is possible, and that’s powerful. Humans tend to not attempt things unless we believe it can be accomplished.

    Our children learn from watching us. They learn how to think, act, and feel about themselves and the world around them. Here are some ways mothers can set a strong female role model for their daughters:

    Body Image

    It’s important for mothers to encourage their daughters to be healthy and strong, but not to obsess over beauty. It’s not enough to talk the talk, moms have got to take care of their bodies and health and accept themselves as they are.

    Boundaries

    Unless they are shown otherwise, young girls may grow up assuming they must constantly please others and never say no. Moms, it’s important to show your daughters that setting boundaries is healthy and necessary.

    Confidence

    Confidence comes from a mindset that failure and mistakes are merely chances to learn. It also comes from knowing strengths and abilities as well as limitations. In other words, confidence is a byproduct of knowing and accepting our true selves.

     

    Are you having a hard time being the role model you’d like to be? Maybe you’re a stressed-out single parent who could use some coping strategies. If you’d like to speak with someone, please be in touch. I’d be happy to discuss how I may be able to help.


    Sources:

    https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/our-gender-ourselves/201205/female-role-models-the-absent-conversation

    https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/thinking-about-kids/201205/i-could-do-why-role-models-matter

    https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/beauty-sick/201705/gift-mothers-daughters

    https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fixing-families/201402/9-ways-be-the-best-role-model-you-can-be

    https://www.nomeatathlete.com/4-minute-mile-certainty/

    • Author
    • Recent Posts
    Elizabeth White
    Latest posts by Elizabeth White (see all)
    • Why Therapy for Caretakers is More Important Than Ever - February 9, 2023
    • Signs you Need to Take a Mental Health Day - February 7, 2023
    • The Traumatic Impact of Divorce on Adult Children - December 1, 2022

    Share this:

    • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
    • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

    Related

    Share on Facebook Share
    Share on TwitterTweet
    Share on Pinterest Share
    Share on LinkedIn Share
    Share on Digg Share
    Send email Mail

    Filed Under: Parenting, Women's Issues

    Blog Categories

    The Well Counseling & Consulting Group

    The Pyramids
    Pyramid 1, 5th Floor
    3500 DePauw Blvd.
    Suite 1050
    Indianapolis, IN 46268

    317-471-8996
    intake@thewellcounselinggroup.com

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter


    Elizabeth White, MA, LMHC, LCAC verified by GoodTherapy.org

    Contact Us Today

    By submitting this form via this web portal, you acknowledge and accept the risks of communicating your health information via this unencrypted email and electronic messaging and wish to continue despite those risks. By clicking "Yes, I want to submit this form" you agree to hold Brighter Vision harmless for unauthorized use, disclosure, or access of your protected health information sent via this electronic means.
    The Well Counseling & Consulting Group
    intake@thewellcounselinggroup.com | 317-471-8996
    A Website by Brighter Vision | Privacy Policy