Bringing Up Girls

1. Girls are uniquely wired for connection and emotional sensitivity

"Girls arrive already wired as girls, and boys arrive already wired as boys. Their brains are different by the time they're born, and their brains are what drive their impulses, values, and their very reality."

Neurological differences. Girls are born with brains wired for greater empathy, communication, and emotional processing. The female brain has a larger corpus callosum, allowing for more cross-talk between hemispheres. This results in:

• Superior language skills
• Greater emotional awareness
• Enhanced ability to read nonverbal cues
• Stronger desire for social connection

Hormonal influences. Estrogen plays a key role in shaping female behavior and preferences from an early age:

• Promotes nurturing and bonding behaviors
• Increases desire for emotional intimacy
• Enhances sensitivity to relationships
• Contributes to girls' interest in cooperative play

Understanding these innate differences can help parents nurture their daughters' unique strengths while providing appropriate emotional support and guidance.

2. Fathers play a crucial role in shaping their daughters' self-worth

"A girl's sense of self-worth and personal dignity are directly linked to what she believes her father thinks of her."

Affirmation and attention. A father's words and actions have profound impact on his daughter's self-image:

• Compliments on character and abilities boost confidence
• Quality time together communicates value
• Physical affection (hugs, etc.) provides security
• Showing interest in her life demonstrates care

Modeling healthy masculinity. How a father treats women, especially his wife, shapes his daughter's expectations for future relationships:

• Respectful communication
• Emotional availability
• Balancing strength with gentleness
• Demonstrating commitment

Fathers who actively engage with their daughters throughout childhood and adolescence provide a secure foundation for healthy development. This includes maintaining appropriate physical and emotional closeness even as girls mature, avoiding the tendency to pull away during puberty.

3. The cultural assault on femininity and modesty must be countered

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."

Hypersexualization of girls. Modern media and marketing relentlessly push a destructive message:

• Worth is based on sexual appeal
• Modesty is outdated and oppressive
• Aggressive sexuality is empowering

Consequences of early sexualization:

• Decreased self-esteem
• Increased risk of eating disorders
• Higher rates of depression
• Vulnerability to exploitation

Promoting true femininity. Parents must proactively instill healthier values:

• Emphasize character over appearance
• Teach the value of modesty
• Encourage pursuits that develop mind and spirit
• Provide examples of strong, feminine role models

By consistently affirming their daughters' inherent worth and helping them critically evaluate cultural messages, parents can nurture a healthy sense of femininity rooted in timeless values.

4. Early sexual activity can lead to long-term emotional damage

"Girls who contract one of these diseases will need medical evaluation regularly and may require special testing and treatment procedures."

Physical risks. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) pose serious health threats:

• HPV: Linked to cervical cancer
• Chlamydia: Can cause infertility
• Herpes: Lifelong, incurable virus

Emotional consequences. Early sexual activity often results in:

• Decreased self-esteem
• Higher rates of depression
• Difficulty forming lasting relationships
• Regret and shame

Brain chemistry. Sexual activity releases powerful bonding hormones:

• Oxytocin creates emotional attachment
• Repeated casual encounters can impair bonding ability
• May lead to difficulty maintaining long-term relationships

Parents should have open, honest conversations about sexuality, emphasizing both the physical and emotional risks of early sexual activity. Promoting abstinence until marriage provides the best protection against these potential harms.

5. Teaching manners and social graces builds confidence and character

"Manners easily and rapidly mature into morals."

Benefits of etiquette education:

• Increased self-confidence in social situations
• Better communication skills
• Enhanced empathy and consideration for others
• Improved impulse control and self-discipline

Key areas to address:

• Table manners
• Respectful forms of address
• Proper introductions
• Thank-you notes and expressions of gratitude
• Appropriate use of technology in social settings

Methods for instruction:

• Model desired behaviors consistently
• Role-play various social scenarios
• Provide gentle correction and positive reinforcement
• Explain the reasoning behind etiquette rules

By instilling good manners, parents equip their daughters with valuable social skills that will serve them well throughout life. These habits of consideration for others lay the foundation for strong moral character.

6. Bullying and relational aggression pose serious threats to girls' wellbeing

"Relational competitions corrupt this process, transforming secrets into social currency and, later, ammunition."

Types of bullying:

• Verbal: Name-calling, insults, threats
• Social: Exclusion, rumor-spreading, manipulation
• Cyberbullying: Online harassment, sharing private information

Consequences of bullying:

• Decreased academic performance
• Anxiety and depression
• Low self-esteem
• Increased risk of self-harm and suicide

Parental strategies:

• Maintain open communication with your daughter
• Teach assertiveness and conflict resolution skills
• Monitor social media use
• Advocate for strong anti-bullying policies at school
• Seek professional help if bullying persists

Parents must be vigilant in watching for signs of bullying and take swift action to protect their daughters. Creating a supportive home environment where girls feel safe to share their struggles is crucial.

7. Parents must actively guide media consumption and technology use

"We ask [our patients] about child abuse, but not last week's hookups. We want to know how many cigarettes and coffees she's had each day, but not how many abortions in her past."

Media influence. Entertainment shapes values and behaviors:

• Normalizes risky or immoral conduct
• Creates unrealistic expectations
• Can promote harmful stereotypes

Technology risks:

• Exposure to pornography
• Online predators
• Cyberbullying
• Social media addiction
• Sleep disruption

Parental controls:

• Set clear guidelines for media consumption
• Use content filtering software
• Limit screen time
• Keep devices out of bedrooms
• Model healthy technology habits

Parents should be actively involved in their daughters' media choices, teaching critical thinking skills to evaluate messages. Open dialogue about technology use and its potential pitfalls is essential.

8. Puberty brings intense physical and emotional changes requiring support

"From pubescence through adolescence, there will be recurring times of moodiness, anxiety, anger, self-pity, and depression."

Physical changes:

• Breast development
• Menstruation
• Growth spurts
• Acne

Emotional challenges:

• Mood swings
• Increased self-consciousness
• Conflicts with parents
• Romantic feelings

Parental support:

• Provide accurate information about body changes
• Maintain open communication
• Offer emotional validation
• Set consistent boundaries
• Encourage healthy coping mechanisms

Understanding the biological basis for these changes can help parents respond with patience and empathy. Creating a supportive environment where girls feel safe to discuss their experiences is crucial during this turbulent time.

9. Spiritual foundation provides ultimate meaning and identity for girls

"Meaning in life comes only by answering the eternal questions . . . and they are adequately addressed only in the Christian faith."

Benefits of faith:

• Provides sense of purpose and identity
• Offers moral guidance
• Cultivates gratitude and hope
• Fosters resilience in face of challenges

Practical application:

• Regular family devotions
• Church involvement
• Service projects
• Discussions linking faith to daily life

Addressing doubts:

• Encourage questions
• Provide thoughtful, age-appropriate answers
• Model authentic faith

By nurturing their daughters' spiritual lives, parents provide a stable foundation that can withstand cultural pressures and personal struggles. A relationship with God offers the unconditional love and acceptance every girl craves.

Last updated: November 18, 2024