Why Role Models Matter More Than We Think
When it comes to building confidence and shaping big dreams, girls don’t just need inspiration—they need someone they can relate to. A recent study on Mexican American at-risk girls confirms what many parents and educators already feel deep in their bones: having a strong female role model can be a game-changer.
Why Role Models Matter More Than We Think
Researchers surveyed 86 girls attending an alternative high school in Texas. These young women were navigating challenges like poverty, low academic support, or limited access to college pathways—circumstances that often chip away at self-confidence and future hopes.
But one powerful factor made a measurable difference: the presence of a female role model.
Girls with positive female role models had significantly higher self-efficacy, or belief in their ability to succeed.
They were more likely to set ambitious educational and career goals.
The role models didn’t have to be famous—mothers, teachers, aunts, and counselors topped the list.
“She believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself,” one participant said about her teacher. That kind of support? It sticks.
Quality Over Fame
Interestingly, celebrity role models didn’t carry the same weight. The girls were most influenced by people they had a personal connection with someone who had taken the time to guide, listen, and encourage.
This tells us something powerful: proximity matters. When girls see someone “like them” navigating life’s obstacles and still thriving, their own dreams feel more possible.
What This Means for Parents
Whether you’re raising a STEM-loving 8-year-old or a high schooler figuring out next steps, here are three ways you can help:
Talk about your own challenges. Share times you struggled and what helped you push through. This normalizes setbacks and shows resilience.
Connect them to real women in your circle. A neighbor who’s a civil engineer, a cousin in nursing school, or a friend running a small business—these women can make success feel relatable.
Lift up their strengths. When they’re doubting themselves, remind them of what they’ve already accomplished and how far they’ve come.
“Seeing someone who looks like me and comes from where I come from—that’s what made me think I could actually go to college,” one girl reflected.
Keep the Circle Growing
If you’re a mom, aunt, teacher, or mentor, you already have what it takes to inspire the next generation. The research is clear: girls are watching, learning, and growing from your presence. You don’t have to be perfect—just present, authentic, and encouraging.
Start the conversation at home tonight: Ask your daughter who she looks up to and why. You might be surprised by the answer—and inspired to become someone else’s role model too.