Why does the self-esteem of girls top out at age 9? What can we do to preserve the self-esteem of girls, especially our gifted ones, and

1. Development of
Self-Esteem in Girls
Wendy Cope
Fall 2011
all images from gettyimages.com

2. Most girls begin like Jessica…

3. What happened?

4. low
feedback
means high
self-esteem

5. 9

6. academic
confidence
declines

7. girls learn what our
culture values
and adapt

8. social relationships take
precedence over
intellectual interests

9. girls have to
learn how to live
in a woman’s
body

10. girls silence themselves to
preserve relationships

11. lack of authenticity
leads to depression and
low self-esteem in teens

12. explore new roles and individual
identities while maintaining
connections

13. moms are still
important

14. girls need
chances to try
…and to fail

15. sports help girls
feel strong

16. identity