We are living in a remarkable time. Technological advancements put information at our fingertips and offer enhanced tools for achieving everyday tasks, but some advances come at a cost for our youth, especially girls. We’ve all seen the headlines indicating youth socialization is at an all-time low while screen time is at an all-time high.
The years when girls should be experiencing girlhood are now accelerated, with social media and influencer culture fueling anxiety and pressure to be pretty and perform.
The CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) reports that 53% of high school girls experience persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. The National Organization for Women (NOW) Foundation reports that 53% of American girls are unhappy with
their bodies at age 13, rocketing to 78% by age 17.
The Girl Scouts’ 2026 "State of the Girl" report offers hope by sharing girls’ perspectives on what girlhood means today and how they are finding purpose beyond appearance and popularity.
Notably, the report shows that 96% of girls between 5 and 13 say they like the way they look, 70% of girls have given serious thought to their careers by the time they reach ninth grade, and 65% prefer to do something creative rather than be on a screen. It’s clear that girls remain confident in themselves and their abilities.
However, with charitable giving serving girls and women still hovering around 2%, the gap between girls’ ambition and the environments there to support and sustain them has widened.
In short, the world we built around girls, instead of for them, needs to be redesigned. Girls themselves should lead the charge, and Girl Scouts can help.
Alice Perez with Troop 20401 saw firsthand the negative effects of unrealistic beauty standards. As part of her 2025 Gold Award project, she partnered with the YWCA to paint a large mural representing real women and girls who live in her community, she led workshops for younger girls on body positivity and gave a presentation at the mural’s unveiling.
Girl Scouts’ findings are a reminder that the future of girlhood isn’t defined by headlines and statistics. Rather, it’s shaped by investments in relationships and opportunities girls are telling us they need. It’s our responsibility to build a world that makes the future feel real, accessible and exciting. And it’s within reach.
Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians has hundreds of troops across East Tennessee, including many in the Knoxville Metropolitan Area, that foster confidence and character through encouragement and belonging. Troops focus on community service, life skills, STEM exploration and outdoor adventures. Events, projects, prestigious award programs, camps and other opportunities offer true connection with peers and adults.
After more than 10 years serving as chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians, I am encouraged by this generation of girls. I have experienced firsthand the benefits of our organization as a girl, and now as I’ve watched girls find their voices, feed their curiosity, reach their goals and enjoy the company of others in an encouraging environment.
One of the goals of this year’s International Day of the Girl Child on Oct. 11 was to let girls and youth networks lead decisions that shape their lives. That sounds like a big - but certainly not insurmountable - goal. I hope that this information will spark action for you to mentor and support girls in your community. If you or someone you know would like to learn more about joining Girl Scouts as a member or leader, visit girlscoutcsa.org. Of course, donations are impactful and always appreciated.
Lynne Fugate is the chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians, a Lifetime Member of Girl Scouts, and former member of the Knox County Board of Education. She currently serves as vice mayor and a two-term City Council member for the city of Knoxville.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Girls can lead the charge in building a world that supports them | Opinion
