New data from the Girl Scouts of the USA found that 85% of Girl Scouts surveyed between the ages of 5 and 13 said that they admired people for what they can do, not how they look.
“That statistic is an invitation for adults to take a deep breath and ditch the pressure to be perfect,” Sarah Keating, Girl Scouts’ Vice President of Girl and Volunteer Experience, told Good Good Good.
“Girls are reminding us that what lasts — and what earns real admiration — is character in action: how you show up, what you try, how you treat people, and the difference you make,” Keating continued.
“When adults model self-compassion and put the focus on effort, learning, and contribution (instead of appearance), we give girls permission to do the same—and we all end up feeling more confident and free.”
The data also had insight into how children and young teens feel about growing older, with 54% of girls saying that the idea of becoming an adult feels scary or overwhelming.
That concern increased with age, in 41% of girls ages 5–7, 62% of girls ages 8–10, and 60% of girls ages 11–13, respectively.
“Girls today have more access to information than ever before — whether it’s current events or social content of people reacting to those events,” Keating reasoned. “That kind of constant input can be a lot to carry. They’re absorbing not only what’s happening, but also how it’s affecting others, so it makes sense that the future can feel daunting.”
For adults looking for a way to ease that burden, Keating said that a gentle, face-to-face conversation is the place to start.
“When young teens seem worried or unsure, the most supportive first step is to get curious and listen,” she told Good Good Good. “Ask open-ended questions to understand what’s behind the feelings — whether it’s current events, social dynamics at school, or doubts about their own abilities.”
Keating said that once adults have pinpointed a source of anxiety, it’s important to normalize how they’re feeling, reassure them that they’re not alone, and share age-appropriate coping tools like grounding techniques or taking a break from the news.
She also told Good Good Good about the ways that the Girl Scouts are taking measures to ease their concerns as well.
“Girl Scouts recently added new programming, like Mental Wellness patches and Body Appreciation badges designed to help girls build healthy coping skills and a positive relationship with their bodies,” Keating said.
“Through guided activities and discussions, girls practice ways to manage stress, strengthen self-confidence, and push back on unrealistic messages about appearance — skills that support them well beyond their Girl Scout years.”
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Header image via Girl Scouts of the USA
