'Being a girl makes me a target': Teenage girls worry about the rise of misogyny, says survey

One girl told the survey: 'Our education system is causing bright and talented people to crumble beneath the pressure. The points system is archaic and cruel. The jump to third-level is too much – and it shows in drop-out rates.'

Teen girls are concerned about the rise of misogyny, and many do not find school a positive experience, new research suggests.

A national survey of more than 1,000 girls and non-binary teenagers indicates that 67% believe their school environment is not a safe or welcoming space to all. 

A tenth of those taking part mentioned feeling concerned for their own safety, with almost 80% of those mentioning boys and men as a threat. More than half (53%) told the survey they do not feel like they will be afforded the same opportunities as boys or men. 

The findings are included in the survey conducted by social enterprise the Shona Project, to collect the views of teen girls on education, self-esteem, safety, misogyny, social media, and emotional wellbeing.

It found:

• Almost 90% of the teens surveyed said they carry anxiety or worry that no one knows about;
• Almost 80% said they sometimes feel “no good at all”;
• A further 70% said they feel social media negatively affects their mental health.

More than half (52%) of the girls taking part said they feel that filters and editing apps negatively affect their self-esteem.

One 18-year-old taking part described the Irish school system as “suffocating”.

“Our education system is causing bright and talented people to crumble beneath the pressure. The points system is archaic and cruel. The jump to third-level is too much – and it shows in drop-out rates.” 

Another 16-year-old told the survey: “I have noticed boys of my generation heading in the opposite direction when it comes to gender equality which frightens me.

“I find they have little to no respect for girls and women and see us as a different species to them.”

Another 18-year-old told the survey that while she is excited to express her femininity, behind that excitement is "the fear that because I was born a female someone might harm me, in the dark, in the daytime, alone or in a group. Being a girl makes me a target." 

Another 14-year-old told the survey: "My life more or less revolves around school and tech and that isn’t necessarily a good thing. Apps like TikTok have made it so hard to be a woman; you can never look good enough, do the right thing or speak the right way." 

The survey found that 73% of the girls taking part don't agree that the Irish education system makes everyone feel accepted, represented or included. 

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A further 77% said they don't feel they have been provided with sufficient sources of information on sexual health issues. 

Of the teens surveyed, almost two thirds (66%) said they don't agree that the education system effectively recognises and encourages non-academic strengths. 

"Young women know what’s wrong and they are telling us clearly," said Tammy Darcy, founder of The Shona Project. "This is a call to listen and to act. We need to reflect the views of our young women in the systems that shape their lives. 

"The Shona Project is calling for schools, government, and communities to work with us and other organisations to ensure young women’s voices are heard and we can collectively build a safer, more supportive Ireland for all."