Young women face a well-being crisis

Did you know that new research shows young people experience a significant decline in happiness once they start secondary school? Self-esteem, ability to cope with stress and difficulties, and perception of friends and family all appear to deteriorate, but while both sexes suffer, the problem seems more acute for young women. Do you know why?

Research by the New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) was published in May 2014. ‘Measure what you treasure’ reveals that children experience a significant decline in happiness once they start secondary school. Self-esteem, ability to cope with stress and difficulties, and perception of friends and family all appear to deteriorate, but while both sexes suffer, the problem seems more acute for girls.  Increased exposure to sexualised imagery in everyday life, the prevalence of internet pornography, and cyberbullying are cited as contributing factors.

The research is likely to renew scrutiny on Michael Gove’s decision to remove references to health and well-being from Ofsted’s inspection framework, dismissing these as ‘peripherals’.

To read the NPC report, click here