New Report Finds Many Girls Falling Behind In America And Minnesota Is No Exception

ST. PAUL, Minn., Dec. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Although U.S. girls have made significant gains in many areas, many still face challenges and disparities that could prevent them from achieving their full potential, according to The State of Girls: Unfinished Business, a groundbreaking report from the Girl Scout Research Institute and the Population Reference Bureau released today.

The report stakes out key issues and major trends affecting American girls and found that although girls have made gains in many areas, including educational attainment, extracurricular activities and volunteerism, reduction of risk behaviors, and connection to the digital world, girls continue to face challenges. Girls perceive barriers to leadership, lack of participation in out-of-school-time activities and low exposure to STEM fields.  

These and several other challenges are compounded by racial and economic disparities, and Minnesota is no exception. The report finds that national poverty rates among black/African American, Hispanic/Latina, and Native American girls ages 5 to 17 are more than twice that of white and Asian American girls. In Minnesota, the economic disparities are even greater.

As the premier leadership development organization for girls, Girl Scouts is committed to working with educators, policy makers, nonprofit leaders, parents, communities, and the girls themselves to meet those challenges.

"We need to wake up to these findings," said Linda B. Keene, CEO of Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys. "Society is rapidly changing. During these girls' lifetimes, the current minority will make up the majority – the majority of employees, leaders, entrepreneurs, and parents. As a state, we simply cannot afford to ignore the challenges and disparities facing our girls."

For more detail from the State of Girls: Unfinished Business, as well as localized Minnesota data for several of the study's key findings, contact Sara Danzinger at 651-379-4798 or [email protected].

About Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys

In partnership with 17,000 committed volunteers and adult members, Girl Scouts River Valleys serves more than 41,000 girls through a 49-county council that spans Minnesota (44), Wisconsin (4), and Iowa (1). Through Girl Scouts, girls discover new abilities, connect with new friends, and take action to improve their communities. For more information, call 800-845-0787 or visit GirlScoutsRV.org.

Contact:
Sara Danzinger
651-379-4798
[email protected]

SOURCE Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys