Primary-age girls feel pressure to look 'perfect'

The study carried out by Girlguiding UK found 15 per cent of girls aged seven to 10 often feel embarrassed or ashamed about how they look, along with 42 per cent of girls aged 11 to 16 and half of older teenagers.

??Meanwhile, nearly a quarter of girls aged seven to 10 feel they need to appear perfect, 17 per cent feel they need to lose weight and 15 per cent think they are unattractive.??

The rates rise significantly with older girls, with two thirds believing that they are not pretty enough.

??The youth charity said the findings from its annual survey highlight the need to stop judging girls and young women on their appearance.??

A total of 1,627 girls and young women between the age of seven and 21 were surveyed for the Girlguiding Girls' Attitude Survey 2016.??

Becky Hewitt, Girlguiding director, said: "This year's survey demonstrates the shocking impact that focusing on girls' appearance is having on the youngest in society.?

"Girls have told us to stop judging them on how they look." ?

Additional findings show the media, everyday sexism, harassment, personal safety, online and social media, education, and mental and emotional wellbeing, are also playing a part in how girls are perceived, treated and feel.

??Three quarters of girls aged 11 to 21 think that girls are judged harshly for sexual behaviour that is seen as acceptable for boys and nearly seven in 10 believe that online pornography is influencing how women are portrayed in advertising and the media.

??During October, Girlguiding plans to challenge the public to think twice about the way they compliment or praise girls.

Anne Longfield, children's commissioner for England, said: "It's disturbing that so many young girls think their appearance is the most important thing about them and large numbers feel they have to be perfect.

??"It can be really helpful if parents are able to discuss and challenge unhealthy attitudes children may have and don't ignore warning signs.

??"Schools also have a huge role to play in building resilience to the negative pressures and attitudes girls may face, and lessons that do this need to be a priority in all school timetables."