Have you seen this TED talk? Raising girls to be brave, not perfect

[BlazeAway]

Here.

It's a really interesting listen.

I think part of that increased the Imposter Syndrome I've felt during my PhD — I've always been considered clever and really struggle to tell people when I feel out of my depth, because I worry they'll think less of me, rather than I've made a good start but need a bit of help.

I hope projects like that will help younger girls — I annoy myself sometimes, but it's really really difficult to overcome those feelings!

Oh hey, that was really "rabble rousing", thanks! And very true in everything it says in my experience.

I'd have said (generalising horribly) that American women generally seem more confident. It's odd to think that they feel exactly the same. It really reinforces that this is a global issue.

Just listened to it, interesting, thanks! I had no idea there were so few girls in tech industry, coding etc. Also liked the example of men will go for a job if they meet 60% of the requirements whereas women will only go for the job if they meet 100%. I think that has the ring of truth. My DD has a tendency to say a French test went really badly (she genuinely believes it) when it transpires a few accents were wrong, that's it. Her brother has happily done French for years without every troubling himself with the accents. I am no perfectionist, but one of my sisters was and it led to her unravelling for a few years so I am conscious of the harm it can do. My DD does kick boxing (with gusto) in a mixed group of boys and girls and I have found this is really good for her mentally in a way the all girl netball team isn't. Have also decided to keep her in a co-ed school.