Industry News
Schoolgirls 'linking image with happiness'
Posted on 28th November 2007
The president of a leading independent school body has spoken of her concern that young girls are being forced to grow up too quickly.
In a letter to the Independent, president of the Girls' Schools Association Pat Langham expressed her fear that girls under ten were linking how people look with their happiness and self-esteem.
She said children were being encouraged to dress like "21-year-old size-zero models" at the risk of their wellbeing.
Ms Langham commented: "Schools should encourage an environment where character is more important than appearance, and where they learn discernment and values."
Earlier this month, Ms Langham claimed children should be playing games instead of imitating celebrities.
She claimed that superficial values risked undermining the "magic of childhood".
The Girls' Schools Association claims that girls lose confidence during their adolescence, which is made worse if they are under "social pressure" from boys.
It claims girls can be "short-changed" in a co-educational classroom and advises they are best placed in single-sex schools.
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