Grammar Gazette- Issue 1, 2019

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While providing many actionable learnings about developing confidence in adolescence, the study raised several potential areas for improvement and questions for further research. While outdoor and sporting activities were found to boost confidence in adolescents, indoor, screen-based activities such as computer gaming and social media usage were identified as the ‘greatest detractors’ from the development of self-confidence (p.7). Further study in this area would be advantageous, to identify more specifically which activities were detrimental, and to what extent students should limit their involvement in them. The study also identified a decline in both girls’ and boys’ confidence as they become older which is an effect that has been identified in previous studies (Fitzsimmons et al., 2018). Perhaps this is a natural and necessary part of progressing through adolescence. Again, more study is required to explore exactly why and how this decline occurs. However, as educators and supporters of young women, by supporting them in developing their independence, promoting their engagement in team sports and by honing their leadership and mentoring skills, we can support them to maintain a well-founded confidence that remains with them as they leave school and enter university, the workplace and the boardroom or contribute in their families and communities.

Team sports, among other initiatives, create opportunities for the study’s third greatest predictor of self-confidence: participation in leadership roles and leadership development (Fitzsimmons et al., 2018). At Brisbane Girls Grammar School, leadership opportunities for students are many and varied, and available to students from Year 7 through to Year 12. Whether through leadership of their House Group, as coordinators of Service activities, as captains of sporting teams, or as student mentors in roles of House Prefect or Study Buddies, girls are encouraged to see themselves as capable and authentic leaders, and to value their own thoughts, opinions and plans for the future.

REFERENCES Hari, R., Henriksson,L., Malinen, S. and Parkkonen, L. (2015). Centrality of Fitzsimmons, T.W., Yates, M. S., & Callan, V. (2018). Hands Up for Gender Equality: A Major Study into Confidence and Career Intentions of Adolescent Girls and Boys. Brisbane, Qld: AIBE Centre for Gender Equality in the Workplace – The University of Queensland Gender workplace statistics at a glance 2017-18 | wgea. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.wgea.gov.au/data/fact-sheets/gender-workplace-statistics- at-a-glance-2017-18

AUTUMN ISSUE / 2019