Networks For Girls: An Examination of the Girls Circle Process

Currently, adolescent girls suffer from barriers to a healthy development such as low self-esteem, poor body image, disordered eating, depression, acts of physical aggression, and delinquency. The Girls Circle program is a gender-specific program for adolescent girls which promotes a safe setting for girls to develop caring relationships with one another and use authentic voices. This study explored the impact of the Girls Circle process on adolescent girls, specifically focusing on how communication functions to influence self-esteem, perceived body image, social support and relationship building. Additionally this research examined the extent to which girls are satisfied with their participation in the Girls Circle process. A qualitative method was used to collect and analyze data. The study found that girls in Girls Circle battle low self-esteem and poor body image on a day-to-day basis, with peer evaluations and media images being the biggest influences. They also had negative experiences with friends and dating partners prior to attending Girls Circle. Girls Circle was found to improve girls‘ self-esteem, body image, and desire to make friends.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts in Communication

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Communication

Year

2011

Author dc:creator

• Younker, Meaghan

Contributors dc:contributor

• Charlene Berquist

• adolescent girls
• Girls Circle
• self-esteem
• body image
• relationships
• narrative theory
• relational-cultural theory
• Communication

Statement dc:rights

• © Meaghan Younker

Repository record dc:identifier

https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/1049

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:bearworks.missouristate.edu:theses-2050