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Soar! The new guidebook for teenage girls

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"Every teenage girl should own a copy." (Photo: supplied)
"Every teenage girl should own a copy." (Photo: supplied)

Despina Senatore, South African founder and owner of Purposeful Woman, has released a new guidebook for teenage girls entitled Soar. 

Purposeful Woman is an organisation she established because of her passion for human development and more specifically to assist women in finding their true potential.

It places its focus on services such as business coaching, workshops on imposter syndrome, maternity transition coaching, personal development; and Nancy Kline’s Time to Think workshops.

Soar

Despina intends to grow a generation of women filled with purpose, resilience and self-confidence.

She describes it as the new guidebook for teenage girls that aims to instill confidence. resilience and educate them on career opportunities.

"Don’t you wish that there was a guidebook that encouraged self-worth and resilience when you were a teenager? One that shone a spotlight on a variety of career opportunities, not just the handful your life orientation teacher told you about," Despina says.

She explains "A guide that championed you as a person and pushed you to believe in yourself and your abilities no matter your circumstances… especially as a teenage girl? It might be too late for us, but Soar gives teenage girls all this and more."

Also read: 'Don't let your child become a puppet to other people’s profits': How to protect your child's online identity

The inspiration behind the book

When sharing on Soar she says it developed from a place of concern for the South African youth.

"Soar aims to build confidence and resilience in young girls, giving them the tools to make informed decisions about their futures. It also educates girls on 50 careers available to them through in-depth interviews with women who are pursuing them, links and guidelines on tertiary education, practical advice to prepare girls for ‘the real world’; and tips and exercises for developing potential."

Despina believes Soar is a crucial guidebook in the times we find ourselves in, particularly when considering the statistics:

•    1-in-4 University students suffer from depression in South Africa according to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG).
•    Teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 are most at risk for suicide.
•    Girls attempt suicide more than boys at a ratio of 3:1.
•    Various studies in the US show that by the time they get to university, girls are far more anxious, depressed and insecure than boys. Their need to be perfect and succeed is starting to become a mental wellness issue.

"Every teenage girl should own a copy"

With this work Despina says she also realised that some youngsters are only aware of a handful of career choices.

“Through instilling self-worth in girls in their teenage years and attempting to develop their full potential we can raise a generation of women who won’t have imposter syndrome or suffer from insecurities as much as we do,” she commented.

She believes Soar is the guidebook that every teenage girl should own and use, and every parent should place it on their list to gift to their daughters.

The guidebook is also ideal for corporates who are interested in investing in the education and empowerment of youth in underprivileged communities.

Despina hopes the book will become more accessible to teenage girls in poorer communities’ and schools, and she urges people to give the gift of a 'bright future' as she describes it.

Compiled for Parent24 by Anneline Hlangani

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