1“Celebrating You”A Program for Promoting Self-Esteem in GirlsTeam EsteemKimmy Senella, Jordan Kessler, Rachel Serrano, Christine KitchenmasterCommunity Service Learning ProjectRTM 300: Recreation and Community DevelopmentDepartment of Recreation and Tourism ManagementCalifornia State University, NorthridgeApril 24, 2008Our Daughters, Our Sisters, Our Neighbors, Our Future WomenAll Humans Need to Feel Valuable To be treated with respect by parents, peers, and community. Know who they are and who they can become ... Have a positive self-identity Possess a positive body image . . . Appreciate their talents, skills, and abilities. Know they have strengths that can make a difference in the world !!!Building Confidence & Self-Esteem in Young Girls / PSA:Dove Real BeautySources: Benson, P. L. (2006); Dove (2008)2Self-Esteem in GirlsSelf-esteem is a major necessity for today’s teenage girls. A diminished sense of self-esteem is related to many issues such as: Negative body image and eating disorders  School achievement and dropouts Teenage pregnancy Drug and alcohol abuse Crime and violence Bullying and suicideSources: Klomack, et al (2007), Kid Source (1998), Nault (2005),Reasoner (2004)Self-Esteem, Media & Body ImageResearch provided by Kelly Nault believes that media may be another reason that girls have low self-esteem (example: skinny models and commercials full of diets). Nault also believes that parents are an important part of their teenage girl’s self-esteem and have an obligation to monitoring their daughters TV, magazine, and news exposure.Source: Nault (2005)3Self-Esteem and School Achievement According to Psychiatrist Holly, a certain level of self-esteem is required in order for a student to achieve academic success. Each go hand in hand and work together.  As the level of self-esteem raises in a child, the better scores on tests,  When self-esteem drops so does academic achievement.  Students who suffer from low self-esteem often drop out of school because they feel they do not have the knowledge to continue, orthe ability to succeed. Sources: Benson (2006)Reasoner (2007)Self-Esteem and Teenage PregnancyIn a study done by Hogg, J.A. cites that juvenile girls run away from home and go into prostitution because of negative identity development as a result of negative experiences. It was found that the most effective way to get them to give up prostitution was to help them regain their self-esteem. Most teenage mothers in an effort to promote their own self esteem, decide to keep their babies rather than give them up for adoption to provide that kind of unconditional love and acceptance that society can not provide for them. Source: Hogg, as cited by Reasoner (2004)4Self-Esteem the Relationship with Drugs and Alcohol AbuseSelf-esteem issues are one of the leading causes of alcohol and drug use. Drugs are usually used to compensate for lack of control over one’s life. Lack of self-esteem changes teen’s attitudes towards drug and alcohol use. For example, trying to fit in and be cool because other students use drugs. Source: Reasoner (2004)Self-Esteem, the Relationship with Violence and CrimeHoward B. Kaplan who is a Professor of Sociology found in a long term study of 3,000 7th grade students that lower levels of self-esteem were most likely to adopt deviant behavior patterns. Low self-esteem becomes a source of anger and hostility which becomes results of violence. Some of these students are also most likely to join gangs, and commit crimes and violence to compensate for their feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem. Source: Kaplan as cited by Reasoner (2004)5Bullying, Self-Esteem and SuicideKlomak cites a study that assesses the bullying behavior, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among adolescents. The result shows that 9 percent of the sample are victims of bullying and have an increased risk of developing depression and suicidality especially among teenage girls. It further examines the relationship between bullying and depression. The findings show that bullying behavior marks the suicidal attempts of adolescents.Source: Klomak, et al (2007)So How CAN We Solve This ???A Programmatic Approach Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets Parent Support Teacher Training Communication Skills Healthy Body Images Peer Support Sexual Education Bully Prevention Community InvolvementSource: Benson (2006), Dove, Duncan, et al (2008)6You’re Invited to...An Event toPromote a Healthy Self-Image for GirlsNOKIA Plazaat Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA“Celebrating You”A Program for Promoting Self-Esteem in GirlsSituated in the heart of the nation's entertainment capital, NOKIA Plaza provides a 40,000-square foot open-air plaza that will serve as the central meeting place for Los Angeles' Sports and Entertainment District.Source: AEG (2008)7Experts, Activities, Partners, Mentoring and Community InvolvementA Community event open to all girls ages 12-22.Activities, games, corporate sponsors, community groups, and vendors with provide:Activities, including Rock Wall, Challenge Courses, Esteem TriviaEntertainmentWorkshopsDanceSpeakersCelebritiesGiftsAdmission is FREE, Transportations is FREE, Food is FREE!!!EXPERTS’General Approach of Self-Esteem Issues• Promote parental guidance to promote healthy self esteem • Anyone involved in the youths life should help to encourage goodself-esteem • Watch for serious problems like aggression toward other kids, teachers, etc these can lead to hard to resolve mental problems• Self esteem problems needed to be responded to as soon as possible • The more involvement with community the better chances the youthwill be able to over come their self-esteem issues Sources: Benson, (2006), Donnellan, et al, (2005), Duncan (2008)8In Support of Experts’ Assessments• Traditionally, no one approach solves the diminishing self-esteem issue for girls.Many community organizations will be available to gain initial training on asset development...• Ideally, positive parenting, optimal teachers, and community adults are needed, working to actively promote healthy self-esteem in their students.Parenting workshops and resources will be made available ...• Community partners, including schools, churches, businesses, local development corporations, corporate sponsorship, and non-profit organizations working together.Boys and Girls Clubs, Girls