Girl power

Program improves girls' self image

In a society where the dangerously skinny supermodel poses as a female icon, it is essential for growing girls to learn how to accept themselves naturally rather than starve emotionally. Since treatment from others bears a direct relationship to self image, young girls' feelings tend to correspond to how their peers view them. Adolescence marks the perfect beginning for embracing personal appreciation so positive relationships can form and optimism endures through the college years. An innovative new program in Ann Arbor's Forsythe Middle School is helping to facilitate that process.

The way women handle and regard themselves in college depends largely on their development as an adolescent. In middle school, all the excitement of budding friendships and new experiences also brings new dilemmas. Along with tender teenage relationships come frequent heartache and taunting. Both boys and girls feel personal conflicts as they reach puberty, but the two sexes cope with such feelings in marked differences. Adolescent girls tend to direct their frustrations inward. Poor self esteem in girls during middle school often correlates with depression and eating disorders later on in life. Luckily, with some help from the University community, one middle school has taken measures to reduce such trauma.

The Forsythe Middle School of Ann Arbor understands the trials and tribulations girls find during maturation. Two insightful female members of the area created a remarkable program, It's Great To Be A Girl, which runs this year for the first time. The founders of the after-school organization, social worker Carole Lapidos and psychotherapist Sally Wisotzkey, understand the need for girls to gain self-confidence during the grueling years of puberty. Both with children of their own, these associates have spent time teaching parents how to support daughters in today's constant struggle to fit in and feel comfortable. The adult workshop became the first step in allowing females to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The rest of the neighborhood soon caught on and answered Lapidos and Wisotzey's request for a grant to improve their program. The $15,000 given to the initiators has helped better the lives of the teenage female participants. Resulting adolescent self-awareness has prompted new assertiveness and happiness.

Twelve University students in women's studies classes and Project Community serve as mentors in the program. The mentors and teachers plan to expand the program of now more than 20 sixth- and seventh-grade participants in upcoming years. Proposals have been discussed for a program tailored especially for boys. In the current program, the mentors actively work with the adolescent girls by communicating with them through fun activities and discussions addressing issues of adolescence such as peer pressure, sexual harassment, stress, proper nutrition, drugs and alcohol.

This weekly arena for encouraging teenage confidence has brought the Ann Arbor community closer together. By allowing the daughters of today to openly share their concerns and grow, the women of tomorrow can feel spiritually stronger as the nation's new role models.

02-04-99