self-confidence in adolescence

"When you try to be something you're not, it wrecks your self-esteem, personal power, and any belief that you deserve much more. But it doesn't have to be that way. Whether you're a nerd or a jock, an overachiever or an underachiever, a loner or an outcast - that is not your entire identity. It's just one tiny part of the vast you. With the help of this book, you can uncover the whole, wonderful person within and, from that, create an incredible life on your own terms"--Back cover.

". . . uses the insights of feminism to address issues relevant to today's young women. What do you do when you feel like your natural hair is ugly, or when classmates keep touching it? How do you handle your self-confidence if your family or culture prizes fair-skinned womxn over darker-skinned ones? How do you balance your identities if you're an immigrant or the child of immigrants? How do you dress and present yourself in ways that feel good when society condemns anything outside of the norm? Covering colorism and politics, romance and pleasure, code switching, and sexual violence . . ."--Provided by publisher.

Presents different strategies to promote grit and discusses the positive outcomes that are possible.

Young adults will read real stories of teens dealing with issues such as the stinging criticism of their peers, stage fright, and the sense of isolation one can feel even in a large group of people.

"Rachel Simmons ... [argues] that girl competence does not equal girl confidence--nor does it equal happiness, resilience, or self-worth ... Simmons warns that we have raised a generation of young women so focused on achieving that they avoid healthy risks, overthink setbacks, and suffer from imposter syndrome, believing they are frauds ... [She provides an] understanding of this devastating problem and provides practical parenting advice"--Provided by publisher.

Teens share their stories which deal with issues such as criticism of their peers, stage fright, and the sense of isolation; and cover how they move forward whether by working through a fear, participating in volunteer work, or passing on hard-won wisdom to younger children.

"Social psychology demonstrates that self-image is the foundation of all human behavior. Social psychologists research how this sense of self develops and what factors determine how people think and feel about themselves. Self-esteem and confidence are dependent on self-image and often determine a person's happiness, psychological well-being, and life success"--Provided by the publisher.

Outlines twenty-three strategies aimed at helping teenagers who want to be successful.