What Do Girls Want? To Get Together to Be Themselves

What Do Girls Want? To Get Together to Be Themselves
Girls Inc. national survey reveals the value of girls' communities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2002

New York City, NY ' Don't believe the recent media hype that says girls are mean to each other, nasty, or that they've lost their voice. Girls Incorporated bypassed the headlines and went straight to the source with a national survey to get the real scoop.

Girls tell a different story about their relationships with each other'and girls' communities.

According to Choosing Community: Girls Get Together to Be Themselves, a national survey conducted by Harris InteractiveSM for Girls Inc., these valuable communities help girls move beyond gender stereotypes and are empowering settings that reinforce girls' sense of self and independence and allow them to explore a world of opportunities. Girls' communities are defined as physical or virtual spaces where girls gather around an idea, interest, issue or just to be with other girls.

Choosing Community reveals that although gender bias is a challenge for girls, they're confident in their abilities and optimistic about the future. When asked about the importance of these groups, 74 percent of girls polled said they would be more comfortable speaking their minds in same-sex environments. A large portion said they would be listened to (56 percent) and be leaders (52 percent).

Girls who participate in girls' communities are more likely to expect to attend college (81 percent), play sports, (52 percent) and feel safe in school (63 percent) than girls who never joined these groups.

'Girls pay attention to how they're treated in computer class, in the science lab, and on the playing field. They know that they're often not treated fairly, but that doesn't stop them from competing,' says Joyce M. Roché', President and CEO of Girls Incorporated. 'Girls' communities provide a place to be serious, try new things, and practice leadership skills needed to create an equitable society.'

Creating an equitable society is at the core of the Girls Inc. vision; the organization has been building girls' communities since 1864. The Girls Inc. community encourages girls 'to be themselves and to resist gender stereotypes' and 'to have confidence in themselves and to be safe in the world,' as stated in the Girls Inc. Girls' Bill of RightsSM.

On May 10, in Washington, D.C., five Girls Inc. National Scholars and members of women's communities will gather at a town hall to discuss the study's findings and strategize about creating valuable girls' communities for the next generation.

The event and survey are part of Girls Inc. Girls' Rights WeekSM, May 12-17, a nationwide observance to raise awareness of girls' rights.

About Harris InteractiveSM

Harris Interactive is a worldwide market research and consulting firm, best known for The Harris Poll ® and its pioneering use of the Internet to conduct scientifically accurate market research. Strengthened by its recent merger with Total Research Corporation, the Company now combines the power of technology with international expertise in predictive, custom, strategic research.

Learn more about Choosing Community: Girls Get Together to Be Themselves .