Claire Cain Miller's New York Times article, 'How Teacher Biases Can Sway Girls From Math and Science', documents once again many of the subtle biases, often held unconsciously, that parents, toy manufacturers and even classroom teachers hold about what it means to be female. The article mentions a study done by The National Bureau of Economic Research that explored the consequences of teachers' stereotypical biases.
The good news is that the latest research indicates "how powerful a little encouragement can be. Early educational experiences have a quantifiable effect on the math and science courses the students choose later, and eventually the jobs they get and the wages they earn."
Recent marketing campaigns such as #LikeaGirl by Always (introduced during the Super Bowl) and #GirlsCan by Covergirl (featuring Ellen DeGeneres and Queen Latifah) are helping to overcome these long held biases. Dr. Holstein strongly believes that it's very important to reach girls with empowering messages a very early age, as it is in those formative years that self image is formed and future plans are laid. Dr. Holstein's latest published books, 'The Truth, Diary of a Gutsy Tween', and the sequel, 'Secrets, Diary of a Gutsy Teen', address these types of issues from the perspective of a young girl. Both books are written in the form of diary entries made by the girl.
In both books the girl enjoys learning and craves answers. Her learning style is inquisitive and she is angry and hurt when people, whether it is her mom or a teacher look the other way and don't take the time to help her fully understand a question or a problem. Is this girl unique?
As a positive psychologist, educator and author, Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein answers this question. "The girl in 'The Truth' and 'Secrets' is the compilation of hundreds of girls I have seen in schools and in my private practice. Each girl is of course unique. But in general, girls are inquisitive. They love to learn. They love science and math and anything that is fascinating. Can they be crushed? Very easily. How? By parents who miss the boat of understanding their needs and concerns. By teachers that make assumptions about the girls they teach. By societies that limit opportunities for girls and women. It is because of so many biases that exist that I have dedicated my professional career to helping girls and their parents realize that being #LikeaGirl means breaking through the #GlassCeiling. It means growing up to be smart, highly educated, ready to take on responsible positions throughout society. It means #GirlsCan."
"My dream is to have every parent sit down with her daughter after they have both read The Truth and Secrets and talk about what that girl needs to grow up strong, resilient, self-confident, educated and ready to take her place in society. There be a million successful ways to be #LikeAGirl. We all need to understand and accept that #GirlsCan."
Dr. Holstein recently released "The Truth, Diary Of A Gutsy Tween". The new book is a revised and expanded edition of her very successful book, 'The Truth: I'm a Girl, I'm Smart and I Know Everything'. The new book is published by Sky Pony Press.
A Facebook page, thetruthforgirls, highlights many of the topics woven into "The Truth". Articles, videos, remarks, conversations, visuals, on this page center around many of the issues that tweens face growing up. These include: self-esteem issues, quarreling in families, divorce, moving to a new home, a new school, best friends, a crush, bullies, a death in the family, money issues, not feeling pretty, feeling sad, feeling lonely, jealousy and more. Dr. Holstein's book for teens and tweens is a first in using fiction for embedding positive psychology concepts.
Her second book in The Truth Series is “Secrets: Diary Of A Gutsy Teen”. In 'Secrets' the girl is 13 years old. She handles many adolescent issues, including a crush, moving, a death in the family, feeling fat and problems with girlfriends. 'Secrets' provides a book kids and parents and grandparents can share and use as a sounding board for needed communication between the generations.
Both “The Truth” and “Secrets” are great for parents, grandparents, older siblings and teachers to establish lines of communication with the tweens and teens in their lives. Both books are being re-released by Sky Pony Press.
Dr. Holstein is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at drbarbara@enchantedself.com. All of her works are available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and all other online retailers. More information is available at her website at http://www.TheTruthForGirls.com.
About Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein:
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, internationally known Positive Psychologist is the creator of The Enchanted Self ®, a positive psychology method for happiness. She is in private practice in Long Branch, New Jersey with her husband, Dr. Russell M. Holstein.
Dr. Barbara can be found on the web, interviewed, writing articles and posting video 'TED' style talks on Happiness, Positive Psychology, Relationships and Parenting.
She has been a contributor to Heart and Soul, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Redbook, Real Simple, The Wall Street Journal, Time on line, the Today Show and Family Circle Magazine.
Contact:
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein
170 Morris Ave.,
Long Branch, New Jersey 07740
732-571-1200
http://www.enchantedself.com
http://www.thetruthforgirls.com
http://www.newromancebooks.com
http://www.next-year-in-jerusalem.com
drbarbara@enchantedself.com
https://www.facebook.com/thetruthforgirls?ref=br_tf
Twitter: @truth4girls, and
Twitter: @drbholstein
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/barbarabeckerho/
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