Cost of living worries hit young British girls hard, with a fifth of them worried about not having enough money to buy basic necessities such as sanitary napkins, according to a survey It says.
Early findings from Girl Guiding’s annual surveys also feature long-term concerns such as debt, unemployment, high rent, college fees, or owning a home.
The charity, the UK’s largest youth organization for girls, said in a poll of 2,614 girls and young women between February and April that financial concerns were “hopeful.” It suggests that they are under mental strain at a time when they should be looking to the future.” and excitement.”
One in three people aged 7 to 10 asked their parents for pocket money and avoided going on school trips, and 40% of all girls (aged 7 to 21) said that their parents or caregivers He replied that he had heard him talk like this: The survey results showed that we need to cut back on certain things to save money.
When it comes to basics, 21% of girls aged 7 to 21 said they were worried about not having enough food for their families.
The same percentage of 11- to 21-year-olds expressed concern about not having enough money to buy menstrual products or pain medication.
Nearly a quarter of girls in high-poverty areas were concerned that their families did not have enough to eat, and 19% of girls in low-poverty areas were concerned.
Molly Smith, 20, an advocate for girl guides, said she wasn’t surprised to learn that the cost of living crisis was causing “more anxiety for girls”.
she said: “What really struck me was that many girls had a negative outlook on future opportunities. It makes me very sad to think that I’m not spending money on things anymore.”
Around 43% of 11- to 21-year-olds say they spend less on things they love, such as travel, books and leisure activities, because of money worries.
Findings suggest that this is more likely to be the case for girls with disabilities, 60% compared to 40% for girls without disabilities.
Girlguiding chief executive Angela Salt said: “The emotional toll the cost of living crisis is placing on British girls is alarming.” For girls who are worried about accessing basic necessities such as food and sanitary products, our research shows how these concerns affect their daily lives.
“Rather than looking to the future with hope and excitement, the vast majority of girls fear being in debt, unable to get a job, unable to pay their rent, unable to attend college, and unable to own their own home. I am afraid.”
More than half of 11- to 21-year-olds worry about not being able to buy (59%) or rent (50%) their own home, and 40% worry about not having enough money to go to college and 55% are concerned. They won’t be able to find a job after school, and more than a third (37%) fear going into debt with their credit or store cards.
The full results of this survey, sponsored by the People’s Postcode Lottery, are expected to be announced in September.
The study examines how girls’ lives have changed in the 15 years since the first annual survey in 2009 and highlights the challenges girls face today.
