Unhealthy perfectionism has become a growing contributor to teens' rising anxiety.
Many tweens and teens struggle with anxiety and perfectionism, and parents often bemoan that "she puts so much pressure on herself." Rachel Simmons, an expert on girls' development and the author of Enough As She Is, however, says that perception puts even more pressure on kids. "The very phrasing of the statement — 'on herself' — lays blame for distress at the feet of our teens, rather than a culture that is stoking the flames of their anxiety," she writes. "It puts the onus for change on kids — just chill, we seem to be saying, and you’ll be okay!" With a recent study finding a 33 percent spike in the number of teens who feel they have to be perfect to win approval, including from their friends and parents, it's more important than ever to acknowledge what teens are going through and help them develop strategies to deal with perfectionism.
Perfectionism includes both excessively high standards for success and significant self-criticism, and while it can drive teens to achieve great heights, it can also cause anxiety, depression, and in extreme cases, high blood pressure and thoughts of suicide. Since the early 2000s, studies show that increasing numbers of young adults report feeling pressure to be perfect in every domain, including schoolwork, extracurricular activities, social life, and appearance. Simultaneously, parents are feeling greater pressure to raise high-achieving children; researchers even have a name for this phenomenon: "child-contingent self-esteem" or, as Simmons describes, "the tendency for a parent to base their own self-worth on the success of their child."
When teens feel that their parents' approval is dependent on high performance, Simmons explains, they "are plagued by the feeling they’ve let others down, whether it be by bottoming out on a test score, missing a shot on goal or getting a 'no' from a first-choice college…. Students perform successfully online while struggling in silence, quietly fearing everyone is smarter and more competent than they are." Then when parents tell teens not to put so much pressure on themselves, their advice often backfires: "When we then tell teens that their wellness is in their own hands, something they might fix if only they relieved themselves of the burden... it has the opposite effect. We only add to their sense of shame that they have failed to measure up."
Fortunately, there are a few steps that parents can take to start helping their teens reduce their stress and anxiety. Changing the language you use to discuss this topic is a helpful way to start a conversation. Instead of telling teens not to put pressure on themselves, Simmons suggests saying something like "It’s so hard right now to feel like anyone is successful enough... I hope you’ll tell me if I can do anything to make things easier." Along these lines, recognizing that teens live in a stressful environment, with demands from school, activities, and friends, and validating how difficult that can be goes a long way as many teens crave greater empathy and understanding from their parents about these challenges. Parents can also help teens develop strategies to address their perfectionism with the help of age-appropriate resources like those highlighted below.
Finally, Simmons asserts, "make sure your actions match your words." She reports that "many teenagers I’ve talked to call their parents’ bluff when told that they just 'want you to be happy.' They suspect what their parents secretly want is a high GPA." One study found that a strong parental emphasis on achievement, particularly when associated with perceived parental criticism, actually led to lower school performance. In the end, Simmons reminds us, "most parents have more in common with their teens than they realize. Let’s retire the bootstrap mentality and stop telling our teens that their stress is self-imposed."
To read more, visit the Washington Post, or browse our recommendations of resources for girls and their parents below.
Resources For Kids and Parents on Perfectionism and Anxiety
The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes
The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes
Beatrice Bottomwell has never made even a single mistake in her nine years alive — in fact, her whole town knows her as The Girl Who Never Makes Mistakes. But when she almost makes her first right before the big talent show, she's rattled. Suddenly, she starts avoiding things she used to love, just in case she makes a mistake while she's doing them. However, when the inevitable happens and she does make a — very public and messy — mistake, something amazing happens: she laughs it off! It turns out that life is more fun when you realize that mistakes can be overcome... and that no one is perfect. This charming picture book will encourage kids to shake off their mistakes and get ready to try again.
The Whatifs
The Whatifs
Cora is constantly plagued with nervous questions — the Whatifs! These sneaky little creatures like to make her worry about everything, from little things — what if my crayon breaks? — to big ones — what if my dog runs away? Backstage before her piano recital, Cora is particularly plagued with Whatif worries. Fortunately, her friend Stella reminds her that not all Whatifs are negative, and by turning her Whatifs around, Cora is able to get out on stage... and even recover when she hits a wrong note. This charming picture book introduces real-life cognitive behavioral therapy techniques in a playful way, perfect to reassure kids that they can thrive even when the Whatifs loom!
Raise Your Hand
Raise Your Hand
When Alice Paul Tapper noticed that girls in her class were less likely to participate than boys were, she wondered why. The boys made mistakes too, but for some reason, when a girl made a mistake, she stopped raising her hand, even if she thought she knew the answer. So Alice decided she had to do something to help girls build their confidence and leadership skills, and with the help of her parents and her Girl Scout troop, she came up with an idea: a patch and a pledge that girls across the country could earn if they promised to raise their hands! This spirited and enthusiastic picture book encourages girls to follow Alice's lead and make their voices heard.
What To Do When You Worry Too Much
A Kid's Guide To Overcoming Anxiety
What To Do When You Worry Too Much
A Kid's Guide To Overcoming Anxiety
All children worry, but some kids begin to feel like captives of their fears, seeking reassurance over and over again or avoiding situations that cause anxiety at all costs. This interactive self-help book uses age-appropriate language to introduce cognitive-behavioral techniques that provide anxious kids with tools and techniques to identify and manage their own anxiety, so they can feel ready to take on the world! Encouraging and positive, this book helps kids identify the line between regular worries and anxiety that has begun to affect their life in a negative way. Parents of younger children can read it aloud and discuss the concepts with their little worrier, while older kids can use it independently to better understand and manage their fears.
What To Do When Mistakes Make You Quake
A Kid's Guide to Accepting Imperfection
What To Do When Mistakes Make You Quake
A Kid's Guide to Accepting Imperfection
Everyone makes mistakes sometimes... but for some kids, the possibility is terrifying. Perfectionism can trap kids in their worries, and even discourage them from trying something new and challenging in case they don't measure up. And with self-critical thoughts raging, it's hard to build confidence. Fortunately, with this interactive book, kids can learn to use cognitive behavioral approaches to understand their worries, quiet critical thoughts, and cope with mistakes. Encouraging and empowering, this accessible guide will help kids learn to live with imperfection and motivate them to push their limits.
The Confidence Code for Girls
Taking Risks, Messing Up, and Becoming Your Amazingly Imperfect, Totally Powerful Self
The Confidence Code for Girls
Taking Risks, Messing Up, and Becoming Your Amazingly Imperfect, Totally Powerful Self
Many girls are consumed by self-doubt on the inside, especially during the tween and teen years — but if they can crack the confidence code, they can learn how to set worries aside and focus their energy on what's really important: confidently pursuing their dreams and embracing their authentic selves! In this book, Katty Kay and Claire Shipman, the authors of the best-selling The Confidence Code for adult women, draw on the latest research to help tweens understand how to short-circuit the thoughts that drain your confidence and hold you back. Illustrations throughout help draw girls into the book, while lists, quizzes, and stories from real-life girls help readers understand how to embrace risk (and failure), overcome anxieties, and be happy in their own skins. Girls will also enjoy the companion journal which will help them put these skills into practice, as well as Living The Confidence Code, which shares the stories of 30 real girls pursuing their passions.
Jaclyn Hyde
Jaclyn Hyde
Jaclyn Hyde is smart, determined, and responsible... and almost, but not quite, perfect. She desperately wants to show her parents and the big sister she idolizes that she can do it all, so when she finds the last vial of a "perfection potion" in an abandoned lab, it seems like just what she needs. Except the potion actually unleashes Jackie, a monstrous version of Jaclyn who will break any rule and trample any person to be the best. With the help of her friends Fatima and Paige, Jaclyn has to figure out a way to defeat Jackie — even if that means admitting she's not so perfect after all. This hilarious adventure is surprisingly deep, with important messages about what it means to be your best self.
A Smart Girl's Guide: Worry
A Smart Girl's Guide: Worry
It's normal to worry about everything, from the little stuff ("Does my hair look silly this morning?") to the big stuff ("Mom and Dad are arguing again.") Sometimes, girls even worry about the fun stuff, like going to a slumber party or trying an exciting (but tough) new activity. Fortunately, there are ways that you can learn to take charge of your worries so that you can overcome fears, stay calm, and feel confident. With quizzes, proven techniques, and advice from real girls, this book will help you take on your worries so you feel in control.
Outsmarting Worry: An Older Kid's Guide to Managing Anxiety
Outsmarting Worry: An Older Kid's Guide to Managing Anxiety
For older kids, it can feel like Worry is smarter than they are, always shifting places and somehow coaxing them into doing things that make things, not better! Fortunately, there are ways that kids can outsmart worry, even big-deal Worry that seems to pop up no matter what they do. Dawn Huebner, a clinical psychologist who specializes in treating anxious kids, crafted this guide for kids aged 9 to 13: those in-the-middle kids who are too old for simple strategies but not quite ready for guides for teens. Accessible, matter-of-fact language helps kids shift from logically understanding their worries to taking the steps they need to overcome them, once and for all.
The Anxiety Workbook for Teens
Activities to Help You Deal with Anxiety and Worry
The Anxiety Workbook for Teens
Activities to Help You Deal with Anxiety and Worry
For some teens, worries and nerves become a more significant problem, affecting every aspect of their lives. However, learning strategies to manage anxiety early will allow teens to build a toolbox to help them throughout their lives. This updated guide addresses teens dealing with mild to severe anxiety in day-to-day situations, teaching them how to control their anxieties, develop a positive self-image, and most importantly, how to know when they need to seek help. By following this step-by-step workbook, teens will learn to turn these techniques to their advantage so that they feel ready for whatever life has to throw at them.
The Stress Reduction Workbook for Teens
Mindfulness Skills to Help You Deal with Stress
The Stress Reduction Workbook for Teens
Mindfulness Skills to Help You Deal with Stress
With everything going on in their lives and world, it's no wonder that 70% of teens report feeling stressed out. The good news is that if teens can learn a few practical and powerful techniques for managing stress now, they'll have the skills they need to handle problems and challenging emotions both in high school and beyond. This workbook teaches teens mindfulness techniques, an approach that helps them to gain mindful awareness of their bodies and their emotions, as a way to help them relax, prioritize, and keep calm during stressful times. The end result is a new feeling of confidence, resilience, and strength that teens can carry with them as they set out on adult life.
The Perfectionism Workbook for Teens
Activities to Help You Reduce Anxiety and Get Things Done
The Perfectionism Workbook for Teens
Activities to Help You Reduce Anxiety and Get Things Done
The desire to be perfect can go awry, and when it does, teens can stress themselves out — or delay doing anything at all for fear of a mistake. The truth is that no one is perfect, so learning to be good enough and battle perfectionist thoughts is a key skill for teens to master. In this workbook, you'll learn to identify perfectionism, spot the positive and negative aspects of it, and manage expectations — both others' and your own — so that you can perform at your best while still accepting who you are. With accessible tricks and techniques, this book will boost self-confidence and help teens achieve their goals.
The Opposite of Worry
The Playful Parenting Approach to Childhood Anxieties and Fears
The Opposite of Worry
The Playful Parenting Approach to Childhood Anxieties and Fears
One of the nearly universal unpleasant emotions that children experience is fear and worry; from the monster in the closet to speaking in front of the class, it’s a rare kid who's anxiety-free! And as many parents discover, logic and reassurance often don't work, leaving them at a loss for how to help their kids. Lawrence J. Cohen, the author of Playful Parenting, shows parents how lighthearted parenting techniques — including lots of emphasis on physical play — can help kids and their parents overcome everything from temporary nerves to ongoing fears.
Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls
Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls
Anxiety is on the rise, but for girls, it's an epidemic: the number of girls who said that they often felt nervous, worried, or fearful jumped 55 percent from 2009 to 2014. So what can parents do to help girls growing up in this stressful time? Psychologist Lisa Damour starts her new book explaining how to change the conversation about stress and anxiety, so girls understand when these feelings can benefit her — and when they need to be addressed. Then, she talks about the steps adults can take to help shield girls from the pressure our culture puts on them in many areas of their lives. Fans of Damour's best-selling book Untangled will be delighted to get more of her helpful, reassuring advice in this excellent guide to supporting girls through today's challenges.
The Gift of Failure
How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed
The Gift of Failure
How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed
As a parent, it's easy to fall into the instinct to protect your child from hurt — even if that means the disappointment and frustration that comes from failing. But as teacher and writer Jessica Lahey explains, how to fail — and how to get up, dust yourself off, and try again — is a key skill that kids need to learn young, when the stakes are still low. In her book, Lahey lays out the case for allowing kids to fail, and to feel the full emotional brunt of that failure, and shows parents how to model and teach resiliency and problem-solving. Individual chapters target particular challenges like homework, report cards, and sports. This celebration of the value of reaching high and missing the mark will make you think differently about how you respond to your child's mistakes and problems.
Enough As She Is
How to Help Girls Move Beyond Impossible Standards of Success to Live Healthy, Happy, and Fulfilling Lives
Enough As She Is
How to Help Girls Move Beyond Impossible Standards of Success to Live Healthy, Happy, and Fulfilling Lives
Although girls seem to be more "successful" than ever today, outpacing boys in GPA, college enrollment, and more, they're also reporting feeling overwhelmed by the need to be exceptional at everything. This book takes a look below the put-together surface that girls project to the world, and provides practical tips for parents to help them reduce negative thoughts, embrace risk and authenticity, and prioritize feeling confident and happy as the ultimate sign of success. Best-selling parenting author Rachel Simmons relies on in-depth case studies and careful research to create both a portrait of the challenges facing girls today and a road map to help girls create their own paths to happy, healthy lives.
