Family Books Help Pre-Teen Girls

By: Dave Pipitone

One of the best things a parent can do to boost the self-esteem of pre-teen girls is to share family books about their worth. Starting in early childhood and going throughout life, girls and women look at life shaped by stories told to them. Stories affect the worldview and belief systems of both girls and boys. Did you ever stop to think how certain stories influence pre-teen girls?

Consider child abuse and bullying. Child abuse is the direct result of a lack of respect for the dignity and potential of children. Statistics show that almost 80% of child abuse is caused by parents or family members. Pre-teen girls are verbally and emotionally challenged at school. According to Prevent Child Abuse America, nearly 160,000 children stay home every day because of bullying.

In the United States alone, there are more than 11 million pre-teen girls who are between the ages 9 through 13. Girls face a special challenge. When girls are hurt by emotional abuse, they can develop a lasting cycle of feeling depressed, anxious, or fearful. They can develop low self-esteem that leads to inappropriate or troubled relationships. They lack trust in others and teach their own children not to trust others. Girls and women are experts in relationships, much more so then boys and men. So when an emotionally abused girl grows up to be a mother or grandmother, what about her children?

What contributes to the overall debasing of girls? Have you considered how stories build negative thoughts and beliefs about the value of girls? Pre-teen books about boys or men with power show that it is all right to bully and verbally or emotionally abuse girls. Even some of the leading adventure stories contain violence. Boys act as warriors and treat girls as victims. These stories abuse the real value of children and teach them unsafe roles.

Preventing abuse depends on developing well-being. Well-being is a state where everyone is respected and treated with dignity. Prevent Child Abuse America says that well-being involves every person at personal, family and community levels. Personal well-being includes hope and optimism that prevents abuse. Hope-filled stories show how girls make a significant difference for good. When you treasure girls, their self-esteem grows. Family and society become stronger and more loving.

How do parents make a safe environment for pre-teen children? Discover and read meaningful adventure stories that value the contribution of girls and women. Find books with a hope-filled story about pre-teen girls and boys. For example, consider stories that have these five elements:

First, there is a spirit of collaboration. Children work together instead of against one another.

Second, the heroes in the story have a mission to serve others. This could be helping to solve a problem, lend assistance, or provide kind words and deeds.

Third, the book follows a progressive story line where the characters of boys and girls are growing deeper and more meaningful. Avoid stories where no growth happens.

Fourth, the story illustrates virtues, not vices. For example, hope replaces despair. Peaceful and creative solutions replace violence. Respect for all characters is the main focus of the story.

Fifth, the book imagines a positive ending that children can associate with. Closure is an important aspect of the book. This may include scenes of reconcilation, forgiveness, reunion and other positive heart-felt events.

When hope and optimism win out, pre-teen girls can imagine how they can make life better for everyone.

The girls of today become the mothers, business and civic leaders of tomorrow. To break the cycle of violence and improve lives of pre-teen girls and boys, tell stories of hope and optimism. Family books with positive messages provide parents with an excellent place to start.



source - www.keywordarticles.org

Dave Pipitone is a professional communicator, spiritual entrepreneur, dedicated husband and father. For more information on a hope-filled story for pre-teen girls and boys, visit The Rainbow Chronicles.