Raising Confident Girls in a World That Still Doubts Them

The fight for gender equality is far from over. Despite progress, women and girls continue to face systemic barriers in leadership, pay, and personal autonomy. The confidence gap—where girls are taught to shrink themselves while boys are encouraged to take risks—starts early and has lifelong consequences.

At POWHER Up, we believe the key to changing this reality isn’t just telling girls to be confident—it’s equipping them with the tools and experiences that allow confidence to grow.

In this post, we’ll break down:

• How the world still undermines girls’ confidence – Subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways society teaches girls to doubt themselves.

  
  

• The real-world impact of confidence on women’s success – Why confidence isn’t just a feeling but a necessity for success.

  
  

• A current role model who’s redefining confidence today – A woman making waves in 2024 by owning her voice.

  
  

• How we can raise a generation that doesn’t need to “find” confidence—they already have it – Actionable steps for parents, educators, and mentors.

  
  

The Confidence Undermining Cycle

Even in 2024, girls are still taught—directly and indirectly—that their value comes from how likable, attractive, or agreeable they are. The messages start early:

• In school: Studies show that teachers call on boys more often than girls, and girls are more likely to be praised for being quiet and obedient rather than outspoken.

  
  

• In media: Even with strong female characters, girls’ confidence often comes from external validation rather than their own abilities.

  
  

• On social media: Algorithms prioritize beauty trends over intelligence, leadership, or achievements, pressuring girls to focus on appearance over substance.

  
  

• In everyday language: “You’re so bossy” (instead of “You’re a great leader”). “That’s not very ladylike” (instead of “That was bold and brave”).

  
  

It’s no surprise that by adolescence, girls’ self-esteem plummets, and they are less likely to take leadership roles, raise their hands, or negotiate for what they deserve.

Why Confidence Changes Everything

Confidence isn’t just a nice personality trait—it’s a game-changer. Studies prove that confidence directly impacts:

• Career success: Women tend to apply for jobs only when they meet 100% of the qualifications, while men apply at 60%. The confidence gap prevents women from reaching leadership positions.

  
  

• Earnings: Research from LinkedIn shows that women are less likely to negotiate salaries, leading to long-term wage gaps.

  
  

• Representation in leadership: Women hold just 10.6% of Fortune 500 CEO positions in 2024—progress, but still far from equal.

  
  

• Advocacy for rights: The most vocal activists and change-makers are those who have built confidence early and refuse to be silenced.

  
  

If girls aren’t given confidence-building experiences at a young age, they enter adulthood hesitant to take risks, speak up, or push for what they deserve.

A Confidence Role Model: Coco Gauff’s Rise to Greatness

One woman rewriting the confidence narrative in 2024 is Coco Gauff. At just 19, she won her first Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open, proving that confidence isn’t just about skill—it’s about believing in yourself when the world doubts you.

Gauff has been vocal about dealing with imposter syndrome, a feeling many women and girls experience when they doubt their own accomplishments. Instead of letting fear hold her back, she took control of her mindset, worked on her self-belief, and proved she belonged on the biggest stage.

Her message to young girls? "You’re never too young to dream big, and you’re never too old to believe in yourself."

Gauff’s confidence wasn’t just about winning—it was about standing up for herself. She called out unfair treatment in matches, spoke about mental health, and used her platform to advocate for social justice. She embodies the idea that confidence isn’t about arrogance—it’s about knowing your worth and refusing to let the world tell you otherwise.

How We Raise Girls Who Don’t Lose Their Confidence

So how do we break the cycle? How do we raise girls who don’t need to find confidence later—because they never lost it?

1. Encourage Risk-Taking Early

• Let girls fail safely—whether it’s trying a new sport, running for student government, or speaking up in class.

  
  

• Celebrate effort, not perfection. Instead of “You’re so smart,” say, “I love how you figured that out.”

  
  

2. Teach Self-Advocacy

• Role-play difficult conversations so girls learn to ask for what they need—whether it’s more time on a test, a raise in the future, or personal boundaries.

  
  

• Normalize negotiation. Even small things like letting them decide the family movie night choice teach decision-making skills.

  
  

3. Shift the Language

• Replace “bossy” with “leader.”

  
  

• Swap “perfect” with “brave.”

  
  

• Stop over-apologizing and teach them to say, “I disagree” instead of softening their opinions.

  
  

4. Expose Them to Female Role Models

• Introduce girls to books, movies, and real-world women who break barriers.

  
  

• Talk about current female leaders, not just historical figures.

  
  

• Encourage following female scientists, athletes, politicians, and business leaders on social media instead of influencers focused solely on appearance.

  
  

5. Get Them Comfortable with Speaking Up

• Create confidence-building exercises: Have them order their own food at a restaurant, debate opinions at dinner, or present on a topic they love.

  
  

• Encourage them to challenge unfairness, even in small ways, so they practice speaking up.

Final Thoughts: Confidence is a Revolution

The world is still telling girls to shrink themselves, to be polite instead of bold, and to second-guess rather than trust their instincts. But we can change that.

At POWHER Up, we are here to make confidence a non-negotiable part of growing up. Whether through resources, coaching, or community, we believe in raising girls who won’t have to spend adulthood relearning their power—because they never lost it in the first place.

💬 What’s one way you’re helping a young girl build confidence? Drop your ideas in the comments or tag us on social media! #RaiseConfidentGirls #POWHERUp