"Being worthy isn't something you earn, it's something you recognize."

Girls Self Esteem drops sharply from 11 – 14 years old, more significantly than boys. Girl’s and boy’s mental wellness are pretty similar through primary school and it isn’t until 14 that there starts to be marked differences, according to the research. (source below & on Girl Stats page)

Girls are also disproportionately affected by social media as a teen, and truly, all media’s influence. Did you know that by the age of 3 girls are already negatively affected in terms of their body image.

Possibly most upsetting and one key fundamental that drives me is that girls are still second class citizens in many countries on earth, including in some first world countries. Girls deserve to have the focus until we are equal on this planet.

In saying that, the self-worth themes, concepts and tools in this program are universal. I welcome anyone that wants to take the course to take it and use the tools and concepts that fit for you in your life. There could be adult men who takes this course and use a tool or concept that benefits them. The advice and tools are open for whoever wants to use them, no matter your age in life or gender or sexual orientation including 2SLGBTQI+ (which is the current acronym used in Canada) and many of my closest friends are represented by one of those letters.

However, the examples and my stories in the program are of that of a pre-teen and teen girl and so those won’t be as relatable to everyone.

A survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that was published in early February 2023 found that, in 2021, 57% of high school girls reported experiencing “persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the past year,” up from 36% in 2011. That’s nearly twice as high as the 29% of males who reported having those feelings in 2021. This study also saw significant increases in the percentage of youth who seriously considered suicide, made a suicide plan, and attempted suicide.

In 2021, nearly 30% of female students drank alcohol during the past 30 days.

Almost 20% of female students experienced sexual violence by anyone during the past year and 14% had ever been physically forced to have sex (that felt comfortable admitting it to the researchers but we can guess this number is higher).

In 2021, of the 57% of female students that experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness during the past year, nearly 25% of them made a suicide plan.

The research done by The Prince’s Trust and the Education Policy Institute concluded that while the transition from childhood to adolescence has a massive impact on mental health and wellness, it is a particularly stark turning point for girls.

_Sources:

_{Forbes, Alice Broster}

_{CDC Report, 2023}

_{Prince's Trust & Education Policy Institute, 2021}

Please go to the About page that has details on Rebecca and a bit of the history of her founding Worthfulness. You can also find more programming information on the Purchase page. There is also a video message from Rebecca to caregivers considering the program for girls in their lives near the top of the homepage.

The ideal age range for the program is 12 to 22, but a mature 11-year-old girl could benefit greatly, and young women in their early 20s find the tools and concepts extremely valuable.

Ideally, I wish every girl would take this program before joining social media. Research shows that social media disproportionately harms girls, and I recommend they avoid it until they’re out of high school and at least 18. However, if they’re already on social media, starting the program as soon as possible is crucial.

This program is designed for all girls, whether they use social media or not. It empowers them with tools and concepts to maintain a strong connection to their self-worth while navigating the complexities of the modern world.

Every child is unique, and as their caregiver—whether you’re a parent, relative, guardian, teacher, or social worker—you know the best approach for them to engage with the program.

For some girls, it may be best to let them watch the program independently and share their thoughts with you throughout the week. If watching together makes more sense, go for it! You can discuss the concepts and tools as they’re introduced. However, it's not necessary for you to watch together; the program is designed for self-guided learning.

Entire families may also choose to watch the program together, which can be beneficial depending on the girl’s needs and comfort. Ultimately, this is about supporting her, and if involving the entire family makes the experience more enjoyable, go for it!

If she prefers to watch alone and then share her thoughts, that's perfectly fine and aligns with the self-guided nature of the program.

Girls can also go through the program with friends, which can be a wonderful experience as long as it doesn’t become a distraction. Best friends or small groups watching and discussing the program together can be a powerful way to explore the concepts collectively. Instead of a Book Club, they have a Virtual Viewing Club meet-up each week.