How do we Raise Fearless Girls?

How do we raise fearless girls?

The 2018 Year 12 ‘Fearless’ theme has been embraced with enthusiasm and the image of the Fearless Girl’s blue ribboned ponytail has become synonymous with a St Catherine’s girl standing strong in the face of challenge.

But why, in 2018, do we still feel the need to encourage girls and women to be fearless? What do they have to fear? I attended the Alliance of Girls’ Schools National Conference last weekend and coincidentally the conference theme was called ‘Fearless Girls: Strong Women’. The presenters painted a confronting picture of some of the challenges girls face and the need for parents and educators to work toward ‘changing the narrative’ that dictates gender inequity.

Dr Terrance Fitzsimmons from the University of Queensland’s ‘Centre for Gender Equity in the Workplace’ shared some confronting statistics, including the fact that the official ‘gender pay gap is 15.3%, but that in reality the total remuneration across all industries is 24% less than men’s.’ He noted that there has been a genuine cultural shift in numbers of women on boards but female CEO statistics are not progressing at the same pace. He revealed that based on current trends, gender parity in CEO roles will occur in the year 2221, over 200 years from now![1]

So where does this inequity begin and how is it perpetuated?

Westpac Kids and Money Report

A 2016 Westpac report revealed boys receive 35% more pocket money than girls and that chores are gendered in most homes. 59% of girls were routinely asked to do the dishes compared to 43% of boys; 39% of girls asked to do the laundry compared to 20% of boys. In contrast, 61% of boys were asked to do chores like taking out the rubbish compared to 40% of girls; 23% of boys were asked to mow the lawn compared to 8% of girls. The perception is that the ‘hard’ work should be done by males.[2] The Heritage Bank Pocket Money Report found that the average amount of pocket money for girls was $9.60 compared to $13 for boys and that girls did more household chores than boys.[3]

Dr Fitzsimmons also pointed out that gender inequity can even be seen within the education system. He noted that when comparing the top ten boys’ and girls’ schools in Queensland, the boys’ schools occupy fifteen times the physical space of the girls’ schools. He also revealed that boys’ schools receive ten times the level of bequests and donations from parents and alumni.

The influence of media on young girls is well known but the fact that no mainstream movies show women speaking more than men is concerning. The Star Wars series was referenced as including just one minute and thirteen seconds of female dialogue.

Educators, parents and employers must continue to challenge gender assumptions in the home, the school and the workplace.

 

 

[1] Fitzsimmons, Terrance Driving Gender Equity in Australia ‘It’s Time’

[2] Westpac ‘Kids and Money’ Report 2016

[3] Heritage Bank ‘Aussie Guide to Pocket Money’ 2015

Ms Merran O'Connor, Director of Student Wellbeing