How do young women see themselves and their futures?
A student-designed survey from an innovative high school came up with some intriguing revelations.
Compared with high school boys, high school girls were significantly more likely to see themselves as leaders, were just as likely to say they would run for U.S. president, and had higher college aspirations than their boy counterparts.
The national, online survey of over 1,500 teens, designed by Miss Hall's School an all-girl high school, also found that more than 70 percent of girls versus 50 percent of boys desire a job where they can help others and make the world a better place. Jeannie Norris, Head of School at the time of the study said, "Teen women are rejecting the old-style, top-down models of leadership and are embracing a new style, one that utilizes teamwork to solve problems."
A significant finding of the study, however, pointed to a "leadership gap." In responding to real-life leadership dilemmas, girls do not always follow through on what they know to be best when friendships are involved. For example, a girl might not vote for the better candidate in an election if her best friend is running in opposition. Inhibiting girls' decision-making is the priority they give to personal relationships.
One of the major implications of the study was that girls need to be taught the skills that allow them to work through challenges while staying in relationships with peers.
Historically, girls' high aspirations for leadership in high school do not translate into significant increases in numbers of women in the top echelon in any sector. Norris said,
"In order for young women to sustain their ability to lead beyond high school and into their adult lives, they must become comfortable with assuming authority and resolving interpersonal conflicts in a way that holds true to their values."
And in addition to these skills, they must prepare to persist in the face of structural barriers and bias that still exists.
Another significant finding was that girls who are comfortable with their personal authority-i.e., girls who self-identify as leaders-are more likely to act on their values. Norris noted, "Girls who have the inner confidence to claim that they are leaders seem to be freer to do what they know is right." Self-identified leaders also tend to do better in school, bring an activist approach to problem-solving, and hold higher aspirations for their futures.
Although conducted a few years ago, the study's core findings still have currency. And the leadership that women can offer to society is never more needed. Marie Wilson, founder of The White House Project, says,
"The core of what women bring to leadership -- a tendency toward greater inclusiveness, empathy, communication up and down hierarchies, focus on broader issues -- makes stronger government and richer business."
On Susan B Anthony Day - and every day - how might you as an entrepreneur and online business owner, create, as Norris put it, "opportunities in which girls can practice asserting their personal authority" as leaders.
And if you are a woman leader, remember the influence you have as a role model for future female leaders.
Resources
Jeannie Norris
Marie C Wilson
Susan B Anthony
Susan B Anthony Day
Barriers & Bias: The Status of Women in Leadership