How to Raise Strong, Successful Daughters, According to Science

Researchers from the UK claim that parents’ extra high expectations for their teen daughters are one of the most important factors in predicting whether those young girls will grow up to be successful women.

“Behind every successful woman is a nagging mom? Teenage girls more likely to succeed if they have pushy mothers,” was said in the Essex University Press release.

Nag more – Fail less

Researchers from Essex University have found that girls whose mothers consistently displayed high parental expectations were more likely to become successful when they grow up.

These girls were more likely to attend college, less likely to become pregnant as teenagers, less likely to have prolonged periods of unemployment and less likely to get stuck in low-wage, dead end jobs.

This research lead by Erica G. Rascon-Ramirez,PhD candidate, explored the experiences of 15.000 13-14 year old girls over the course of 10 years.

This doesn’t mean that if you constantly nag your teen daughter, she’ll turn into Einstein when she grows up. She’s just more likely to be more successful.

Have you tried nagging a 13-14 year old girl? Well, you’ll get a lot of eye rolls, sullenness and door slams or sure.

“In many cases, we succee[d] in doing what we believ[e is] more convenient for us, even when this [is] against our parents’ will. But no matter how hard we tried to avoid our parents’ recommendations, it is likely that they ended up influencing [our] choices,” explains Ramirez.

If you set expectations in your daughter’s head that they should not get pregnant as teens and finish college, they’re more likely to fulfill those expectations.

“Sure, having a healthy sense of self-esteem and believing that you have options is great, but not getting pregnant just because you ‘don’t want to hear it’ is fine with us, too. Whatever. Just make it not be so.”