Women ’ s Empowerment: Validation Comes from Within

In my work as a clinical psychologist, I often observe successful and accomplished women struggling with issues surrounding feelings of self-worth and self-esteem. My patients, many of whom are young adults, often express unwarranted feelings of doubt and insecurity that conflict with reality. Common invalidating phrases that my clients regularly share include “I don’t know but…” or “I know this is silly but…”
Why do so many women feel the need to put themselves down and invalidate themselves? I’d like to examine this tendency and suggest some practical behavioral changes that will help develop new, more empowering habits.  
On a macro level, there has been some recent progress in championing women’s rights as demonstrated by the Women’s March and the #metoo and #timesup movements. However, this progress can give us the illusion that we are further along the path to true empowerment than we actually are. On a micro level, that progress is slower when translated to individual women as they try to reverse the messages women have internalized for decades. To what degree are women internalizing the messages behind these movements? It’s time to pick up the pace.
There has been an increasing amount of research examining self-confidence and gender differences that observe the effects of messages woman receive on a daily basis from childhood through adulthood, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy especially when 74% of girls say they are under pressure to ...

Source: World of Psychology - May 18, 2018 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Marisa Mahler, Psy.D. Tags: Anxiety and Panic Policy and Advocacy Self-Esteem Self-Help Stigma Stress Women's Issues #MeToo approval seeking disempowerment Inadequacy Insecurity self-confidence Self-Doubt Validation womanhood Source Type: blogs