Uniquely Me! Program Builds Self-Esteem in Girls
Girl Scouts and Dove Self-Esteem Fund Create Life Skills Curriculum
May 21, 2009
Lack of self esteem in adolescent girls has long been associated with at risk behaviors such as smoking, drinking, and unsafe sexual behavior. In 2001, in response to a universal need to improve self esteem among young girls, The Dove Self-Esteem Fund and The Girl Scouts worked together to create the Uniquely Me! Program. Based on research conducted by the Girl Scout Research Institute, the program curriculum is tailored to girls at different developmental levels and is geared towards helping them feel better about themselves through the development of life skills.
The Uniquely Me! Curriculum
Offered in a booklet format, the program covers such crucial adolescent issues as managing peer pressure, identifying values, positive thinking, wellness and exercise, eating disorders prevention, and relationships. Leader’s guides are also available for adults who join with girls on this journey. These editions include developmental information, research, tips for working with girls on these issues, and resources. Materials are available in both English and Spanish, and can be ordered from the Girl Scouts of the USA.
In the past seven years, 300,000 girls have participated in this program according to The Dove Self-Esteem Fund (Girlscouts.org, 2009). Girl Scout Councils have implemented the program in various ways, including holding conferences and workshops for girls and their parents on targeted skill areas in the curriculum.
Uniquely Me! Spokespersons
Olympic gymnast Dominique Dawes and Ugly Betty star America Ferrara have served as spokespersons for the program. Joining them this year is MTV News Correspondent Suchin Pak, who has created a Facebook page where girls can go to post their own stories related to the Uniquely Me! message. Suchin is working towards redefining what it means to be a girl in contrast to the media messages girls see everyday. These media messages are not always accurate, or positive. Correcting these messages can help boost young girls’ self-esteem and confidence.
Uniquely Me! Girls Only Interactive Zone
This girl-friendly website is a place where girls can find quizzes, games, downloads, and other activities that reinforce the Uniquely Me! message. Girls can check out sample activities from the curriculum, and watch the eye-opening “Evolution” video from Dove, which uses time-lapse photography to demonstrate all that goes into creating the picture-perfect images girls see and compare themselves to every day.
Young girls are at special risk for lowered self esteem and associated problems. Programs such as Uniquely Me!, which teach a variety of critical life skills, can help inoculate girls against these risks.
Source: Girl Scout website.
