How to Raise a Troubled Young Girl

8) Build healthy self-esteem

Our young women are facing a daily battle with a narrow definition of the word “beautiful”.  With popular song lyrics like “I like a long haired thick redbone…” the self image of many young girls is taking a hit whenever they turn on the radio.  While I believe that the media should take some responsibility and display a variety of different types of beauty, the people our young women interact with every day are crucial in helping shape the broad definition of beauty.  That’s not always necessarily a natural look or an enhanced one, but the ability to find healthy ways to love yourself on both the inside and outside.  Try to help the teen in your life find comfort in maintaining her individual identity.  Not only should our young women find a comfort with what they see in the mirror, but within their souls as well.