Countdown star says words can instil pressure for girls to be perfect
Dictionary Corner's Susie Dent has been speaking to Greatest Hits Radio on International Women's Day
Countdown star and language expert Susie Dent has warned the way people speak to young girls can instil a fear of failure.
Ms Dent, who's from Woking, spoke to Greatest Hits Radio about the LEGO Group's report into how language impacts the confidence of young boys and girls.
The research, which surveyed parents in 36 countries and 1000 5-12 year olds in the UK, found that 77% of girls in that age category felt that the language used by adults leads to an intense pressure to be perfect.
89% of young girls in the UK reportedly felt pressure to be perfect.
The report also found that many young girls felt less confident at being creative due to expectations placed on them.
Responding to the findings, Ms Dent said that "many of us are unaware that we are actually inhibiting them young girls" through our choice of words.
"It's very clear that if you say to them, look there's no right or wrong, just do what you want to do, that actually the passion that can inspire, and the freedom I think it's liberating, and language should be liberating and not inhibiting."
The report found that the different language used towards boys and girls also influenced how confident they felt.
Words like "sweet", "pretty", "cute", and "beautiful" were 7x more likely to be exclusively attributed to women, whilst terms like "brave", "cool", "genius" and "innovative" were twice as likely to be used towards men.
Ms Dent said it's important we talk to young girls about how they wish to be spoken to.
"It's important those of us who are speaking to young girls recognise what we say will go in quite deeply, even if we think it's a bit of a throwaway, and however well intentioned it is."
"We must choose our words carefully, and work with girls and talk to them, and just say how would you like me to describe that, and how does that make you feel."