Teaching by Example: Helping Your Daughter Find Positive Female Role Models

Positive Role Models

Strong family relationships help children transition into stable and mature adults, but these relationships are especially crucial during the teenage years. Your child’s associates will strongly influence their morals, self-esteem and confidence. Unfortunately, with our media-driven culture, many teens look up to entertainers, sports figures and other celebrities as their role models. While not all of these negatively influence your children, they might not always be the best choice for your child to emulate.

The Importance of Mentors for Teens

Teenagers learn by watching and observing others. As a parent, you want to make sure your teen has positive role models to look up to and follow.

Fortunately, more than 75 percent of America’s children say they look up to family members, teachers and community leaders as their role models. Teenagers who identify with role models they know personally show stronger academics and higher levels of self-esteem .

Positive role models help shape the well-being and developing body image of your teenage daughter. She is more likely to face issues with eating disorders, sexual harassment, relationship issues and bullying. While you might assume you have an open dialogue with her, sometimes she might feel more comfortable talking to someone else for guidance and support.

You want your teenage daughter to have someone to look up to with the same values and virtues that you wish to instill in her. Role models should have positive characteristics, such as leadership and morals. The transition from childhood to adolescence is extremely challenging.

Teachers and coaches powerfully influence your teen. With a focus on education, teachers can instill intellectual curiosity and the drive for educational advancement. Coaches emphasize the value of fitness, sportsmanship and team effort.

How Working Mothers Help Their Daughters

While it is difficult to achieve balance between home and work, professional women serve as great role models for their daughters. Harvard Business School released a study in 2015 stating that children, especially daughters, benefit from mothers with a career. On average, daughters with working mothers were paid 4 percent more than their peers and were more likely to be promoted into senior positions.

Ways to Impact Your Daughter

While a system of supportive role models can positively impact your teen daughter’s life, you are the best role model for your child. Try the following tips:

  • Practice safety and behavior that you want her to emulate.
  • Teach kindness and empathy.
  • Focus on listening.
  • Set appropriate boundaries.
  • Show her love and understanding while ensuring that she is surrounded by positive influences with her best interests in mind.
  • Keep the lines of communication open.
  • Let her know that she can always approach you without fear of judgment.

If you find that your teen is hanging out with the wrong crowd, consider seeking outside help to get them back on track. Raising a troubled teenager can be difficult, and often traditional help from you and the community is not enough. Now is the time to intervene and find a program that will best fit your teenager’s unique needs.

Request Free Admissions Information

Step 1 of 3 - Your Contact Info

Written by Natalie

18 Sep, 2017

Recent Posts

What is a Teen Residential Treatment Center?

What is a Teen Residential Treatment Center?

Has your teen’s therapist suggested that a residential treatment center is a good next step for your teen? You may have questions about what a teen residential treatment center is and how it can possibly help your teen through the difficult stage he’s in right now....

How to Apologize to Your Teen

How to Apologize to Your Teen

Do you admit it when you’ve made a mistake or lost your temper? Apologizing is not always the easiest thing in the world to do, particularly if you’ve crossed a line or lost your temper with your teenager. Learning how to apologize to your teen doesn’t only help your...

Important Ways to Show Love to Your Teens

Important Ways to Show Love to Your Teens

You love your teenager. There’s no doubt about it. For your teen, however, feeling like you’re imposing more rules, boundaries, and consequences for his behavior may feel like he isn’t loved as much anymore. Your work schedule and other family obligations may have you...

How Parents Can Cope With Mental Fatigue

How Parents Can Cope With Mental Fatigue

Juggling the responsibilities of parenting, work, relationships, and other commitments can be overwhelming at the best of times. Even if you have great support from your co-parent and have plenty of other family and community support. But then, add in the stress and...

Tips to Prevent Teen Suicide

Tips to Prevent Teen Suicide

No one should ever have to experience the death of a loved one due to suicide. Unfortunately, due to poor mental health, many teenagers find themselves in this position. Teen suicide is an issue that needs to be addressed and discussing preventative tips can help...

Teen Is Refusing to Obey House Rules

Teen Is Refusing to Obey House Rules

If you have a teenage son or daughter, then you might be well aware of the fact that they are itching for a sense of freedom. You might be experiencing your teen refusing house rules - whether that is by wanting to stay out past curfew, taking the car at an...

You May Also Like…

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *