State of Girls 2017: Emerging Truths and Troubling Trends

Posted by Girl Scouts of America on March 13, 2017

The State of Girls is a first-of-its-kind research report by the Girl Scout Research Institute that focuses on girls’ health and well-being in the United States. The most recent data from The State of Girls show that economic conditions affecting girls in the United States have not recovered from the Great Recession that began in late 2007. In fact, they have worsened. More girls are living in poverty and low-income households today than ten years ago. This is significant because these low socioeconomic-status (SES) girls face considerable challenges that affect their health, happiness, and achievement. Low-SES girls are more likely to be of black/African American, Hispanic/Latina, and American Indian descent.

Physical and emotional health are also at risk for girls today—obesity levels have risen and emotional health problems are more common today than before the recession. The news is promising in other areas, though, reflected in improvement in girls’ educational achievement and extracurricular activity engagement in the last decade.
Girl Scouts is the world’s preeminent leadership development program for girls. With its history of more than 100 years serving girls of all backgrounds, Girl Scouts is poised to help bridge the gap for girls in low-income families in order for all girls to live healthy and happy lives.

The Girl Scout Leadership Experience complements school learning in fun, interactive, and age appropriate ways, allowing girls to develop a positive sense of self, build healthy relationships and strong values, engage in sustainable community service opportunities, and seek out and deal with challenges.

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