Girls’ Attitudes Survey 2015
This week Girl Guiding UK revealed the results of their 2015 Girls’ Attitude survey. The survey asked 1,574 girls and young women aged between 7 and 21 for their views on a range of issues – from health and well-being to relationships and careers.
Girl Guiding Chief Executive, Julie Bentley, said: ‘The findings in this year’s Girls’ Attitudes Survey provide a stark warning about the fragile state of UK girls’ well-being.
‘We need the support of decision-makers to start an open conversation about girls’ concerns. By listening to girls, we can work together to tackle the root causes of their distress – and champion their potential.’
(Image from Girl Guiding UK)
Here’s some of the key findings from the survey:
- Two in five girls aged 11 to 21 say they have personally needed help with their mental health (37%). This increases with age – among 11- to 16-year-olds the figure is 28%, but among those aged 17 to 21 it is nearly half (46%).
- 82% of girls aged 11 to 21 say adults don’t recognise the pressure they are under.
- Girls aged 13 – 21 say mental health issues, cyber-bullying and getting a job are the top overall concerns facing young people today, they think their parents’ biggest concerns remain drug use, alcohol and smoking.
- Three quarters of girls aged 11 to 21 say anxiety about experiencing sexual harassment negatively affects their lives in some way.
- Two in five girls in this age group have had a demeaning comment made to them about the way they look.
The full Girls’ Attitudes Survey report will be published in September.
See full article from Girl Guiding UK here: girlguiding.org.uk/girls-attitudes-survey-2015
