Teen Girls on Business - Simmons College

<strong>Teen</strong> <strong>Girls</strong> on Business: Are They Being Empowered?lower than boys in their ability to work with numbers andmanage money. They are leaders in their schools and communities,but do not equate leadership with business success.They have strong skills in other areas such as teamwork andcreative thinking, but do not see how these will be valued inbusiness. They feel they know little about business careers.Action:It has been said that “<strong>Girls</strong> need to appreciate their roles aseconomic agents in order to make intelligent decisions early intheir lives that will significantly affect their future earningpotential.” 43 Title IX and a number of related initiatives havealready started to improve the picture, helping girls feel morecomfortable with numbers and understand the economic realitiesof business. But more needs to be done in terms of providinggirls with the opportunity and encouragement to participatein economic/financial literacy programs. While it isimportant to give all teens these skills, we believe that programsfocused specifically on the needs of girls are vital.Previous research studies have concluded that girls and boysmust see women and girls reflected and valued in the materialsthey study, that girls must be educated and encouraged tounderstand that mathematics and the sciences are importantand relevant to their lives, and that girls must be actively supportedin pursuing education and employment in theseareas. 44 Additional research studies have concurred that gender-sensitiveprogramming is vital to the success of initiativesto empower girls. The authors determine that most youth programscontinue to use universal programming, which does notdistinguish between the needs and strengths of girls andboys. 45Clearly, these are long-term issues that can not be solved withshort-term solutions. Addressing the negative perceptions(and sometimes misconceptions) about business careers willrequire a multi-pronged approach, targeting different audiencesand employing different media and strategies.The sooner we begin, the sooner we can expand the pipelineof girls who choose business careers–and welcome the womenwho will become our future business leaders.“Business careers present opportunities from thecreative to the technical; from working in teamsto being a sole practitioner; in virtually anygeographic venue including international.And they allow you to change direction–you’re not locked into a single discipline.”-Connie K. Duckworth,Partner, 8 Wings Enterprises;Chair, The Committee of 200;Retired Partner, Goldman, Sachs & Co.“I hope this study will prompt a call to action.I would like to see businesspeople, especiallywomen, be more visible about all the goodthat they do everyday. We need to let theworld see women managersand business owners as leaders of companies.Companies providing jobs, and makingproducts to help people lead better lives.”-Patricia O’BrienDeanSimmons College School of Management“Directly, business offers employment, goodsand services, and financial opportunity toeveryone: owners, employees, and customers.It is the foundation of our free economy.Indirectly, business gives you the skills,influence, and credibility to becomea leader in society.”43Community Action and Advocacy. <strong>Girls</strong>, Women and Economic Literacy. Available at:http://www.legacymovie.com/community/4.4.4.html#top. Accessed on February 10, 2002.44How Schools Shortchange <strong>Girls</strong>. AAUW and Wellesley College Center for Research on Women.New York, NY: Marlowe & Company; 1995.45The New <strong>Girls</strong>’ Movement: Implications for Youth Programs. Collaborative Fund for Healthy <strong>Girls</strong>,Healthy Women. Ms. Foundation. New York, NY; 2001.-Judy H. Mello,President, Mello Corporation45