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

Does Cost Impact the Quality of Troubled Teen Programs?

Does Cost Impact the Quality of Troubled Teen Programs?

Many factors come to mind when considering a treatment program for your teenager. From location and specialty to care provided and length of the program, it's vital to consider all the finite details before making a final selection on a behavioral school, military...

Teens and Sexting, How to Protect Your Teen

Teens and Sexting, How to Protect Your Teen

It may not be something that you want to think about your teen taking part in, but sexting is a very real issue that many are facing today. It’s uncomfortable for parents to think about and of course uncomfortable to discuss with teens. And, none of us think our teens...

Programs for Teens With Bad Behavior

Programs for Teens With Bad Behavior

Is your teen’s behavior out of control? If his behavior has progressed from what is considered the norm for a rebellious teenager, you may struggle with knowing the next step to take to help your teen get his behavior back on track. Timeouts worked when he was a...

Do Teen Military Boot Camps Really Work?

Do Teen Military Boot Camps Really Work?

How much do you know about teen boot camps? Are you curious about whether a military boot camp could be the right choice to help your teen work through the issues he’s struggling with? Boot camps for teens are often highlighted in a negative way when they pop up in...

Helping Teens Struggling With PTSD

Helping Teens Struggling With PTSD

Has your teen experienced trauma that he doesn’t know how to process and heal from? Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can leave long-lasting mental health issues that may follow your teen into adulthood. Without getting into a treatment program that addresses...

No One Likes Me, How Do I Fit In?

No One Likes Me, How Do I Fit In?

When you find it difficult to make friends, it can feel like you’re alone and no one likes you. While it’s true that not every person will click with you, it could just be that you’ve not yet found the best ways to connect with those around you. It’s hard to make...

You May Also Like…

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published.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