Being a teenager comes with its own set of worries and problems, and both boys and girls have different issues they worry about.
Teenage girls struggle with a number of things boys don’t worry about. In order for parents to be able to help their teen girls with their worries, it’s important to identify them first. The following are some common worries of the teenage girl:
Appearance
Many girls start to become more and more aware of their appearance as they become teenagers. They begin wearing makeup and become more concerned with having the right brand of clothes and shoes. This is especially true for high school girls, particularly those who want to be noticed by boys.
Weight issues also become a common worry for teenage girls. In fact, most eating disorders begin in the teenage years as pressure for girls to be thin in order to fit in the latest clothes and be considered attractive increases. Many girls also worry about the development, or lack thereof, of their own physical bodies during this time.
Grades
Getting good grades is a worry for many teenage girls. High school is a time to prepare for college, which requires certain grade point averages and scores on a variety of tests, including the SAT and ACTs. Teenage girls worry about understanding their classes and homework, which all have an impact on their overall grades.
Dating
Many teenage girls start to date as they enter high school and their teen years. Getting asked out on dates, going to prom, and having dates in general are common worries of teenage girls. Once they are in relationships, girls also worry about the relationships they have with their boyfriends.
Sex
As teenage girls begin to date, sex becomes a real issue and worry. When to have sex, whether or not to have sex, birth control, getting pregnant, STDs, and other issues are worries of teenage girls when they begin to date and become sexually active.
Friends
For many teen girls, friends and fitting in socially are everything. Most girls want to be popular and well-liked: not only with boys, but with other girls as well. Teenage girls in particular can be prone to drama, including gossiping, backbiting, excluding from the group, and so forth. This can be worrisome for girls as well.
Peer pressure
All teens, boys and girls, want to fit in and be liked. Sometimes, they feel the only way this can happen is by giving in to peer pressure. Teenage girls often worry about standing up for themselves and what they know to be right, or giving in to peer pressure to fit in with the crowd, have a boyfriend, or be liked.
Hormones
Many girls often start their periods in their teenage years, which can lead to an influx of hormones. They may be moody, depressed, gain weight, and a number of other things, resulting in a number of new worries.
The teenage years can be an exciting time for girls, but they can also be stressful as well.
As you can see, teenage girls have a unique set of things they worry about. Parents can help their teen girls deal with stresses by being supportive and understanding, and providing help when needed. This could come from listening, helping them with their schoolwork, educating them about abstinence and safe sex, and teaching them how to stand up for themselves.