How to Raise Confident Girls

By Contessa Archuleta on February 15, 2024

According to surveys, a majority of girls believe they are not good enough, and many often feel sad or hopeless. Research also highlights that their confidence tends to worsen during the teenage years and that social media is at least partly to blame.[i]

While most would agree this is unacceptable, how do parents and other loved ones identify and practice the right strategies to build girls’ confidence, help them feel fulfilled and realize their full potential?

To help with this critically important endeavor, we hosted the founders of Wonder Girls USA, Natalie Maniscalco and Irene Zervoudis, to share their insights on addressing the current emotional, physical and mental challenges young girls face today. Wonder Girls USA is an after-school program for middle and high school girls with a mission to build confidence, leadership, community spirit and the necessary business skills to succeed no matter what educational or career path they may choose.

Examples of the perspectives and strategies they shared include:

Creating a safe space at home by simply listening and fighting the urge to instantly respond
Shifting from protecting to preparing
Providing activities with clear end goals but no step-by-step instructions
Accepting girls’ goals even when they may differ from your goals for them
Leading by example, including by being kind to ourselves
Turning off and steering away from social media

To learn additional details and ideas from Maniscalco and Zervoudis, watch “Raising Confident Girls.”

Also, for more resources around well-being, please reach out to us. We recognize the inextricable link between emotional health and wealth and are here to support you and your family on your journey toward achieving both.

Listen to the Webcast

[i] Wonder Girls, https://www.wondergirlsusa.org/did-you-know. Accessed March 9, 2023.

The Rikoon Group is a group comprised of investment professionals registered with Hightower Advisors, LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser. Some investment professionals may also be registered with Hightower Securities, LLC, member FINRA and SIPC. Advisory services are offered through Hightower Advisors, LLC. Securities are offered through Hightower Securities, LLC. All information referenced herein is from sources believed to be reliable. The Rikoon Group and Hightower Advisors, LLC have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this document. The Rikoon Group and Hightower Advisors, LLC or any of its affiliates make no representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the information or for statements or errors or omissions, or results obtained from the use of this information. The Rikoon Group and Hightower Advisors, LLC or any of its affiliates assume no liability for any action made or taken in reliance on or relating in any way to the information. This document and the materials contained herein were created for informational purposes only; the opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s), and do not represent those of Hightower Advisors, LLC or any of its affiliates. The Rikoon Group and Hightower Advisors, LLC or any of its affiliates do not provide tax or legal advice. This material was not intended or written to be used or presented to any entity as tax or legal advice. Clients are urged to consult their tax and/or legal advisor for related questions.