Pre-teen adolescents, whose bodies and emotions are on a roller coaster
of change, aren’t ready for the grown-up, violent and hyper-sexualized messages
that make them feel insecure and inadequate at a time when their self-esteem is
fragile.
For many of us, the “tween” years were a period of insecurity
and confusion when we were unsure of our own place. For better or worse, the self-image
you form during those years often sticks with you into adulthood. Even if you
learn to behave differently on the outside, your adolescent self may feel unwanted,
undeserving, or unable.
Five Key Principles
When I created the Beacon Street Girls, a new brand that offers realistic
role models for girls ages 9 to 13, I focused on five key principles intended
to help teach self-respect, confidence, and a positive, “can-do” attitude.
- Believe in yourself, and accept yourself for who you are. Celebrate your
heritage, your body, and your unique point of view. Pursue your passion, and you
will develop greater self-confidence.
- Friendship matters. Make an effort to keep friends who will stand by you no matter what happens. Real friends will offer advice and support in times of need.
A good support base will give you the confidence to make tough decisions and choose
your own path.
- Work through problems. View problems as opportunities to learn something.
Perseverance is the key. As Booker T. Washington once said, “Success is
to be measured not so much by the position one has reached in life as by the obstacles
which one has overcome.” Accept responsibility for your actions, and realize
mistakes will happen. Learn from every experience and move on.
- Make smart choices. Learn when to take risks, and how to be safe while doing it. Take care of your health. You only have one body. Eating healthy and exercising
regularly are keys to feeling satisfied. Do the right thing. When you go against
your own code of personal values, your self-esteem suffers.
- Be optimistic. You can choose to see a world filled with obstacles, or envision limitless potential. Helen Keller said, “Optimism is the faith that leads
to achievement.” Contributing to your community, through time or service,
will bolster your self-esteem.
These core values empower you to become more self-accepting, happier
and more successful. With hope, confidence and perseverance, you can achieve anything. PE
