Courtney Macavinta and Andrea Vander Pluym are the authors of Respect: A Girl’s Guide to Getting Respect & Dealing When Your Line Is Crossed. About the book: “Quotes and advice from teen girls, true stories, and facts keep it real. Activities, journaling exercises, ideas for what teens can say when they are upset or pressured, and strategies all make them stronger.” Here are a couple of activities from the book that you might want to use with the girls you work with. Check out the book for lots more great ideas for discussion, empowerment, and support.
Your Rights (From Respect)
“To make it in this world, you need respect like you need the air you breathe… Here’s the main rule to remember: Every girl deserves respect. And getting it–from yourself and others–starts with knowing that you have certain rights.
Feel like you belong and are an equal
Figure out what you need and take care of yourself
Listen to your true feelings
Speak your mind, change your mind, and question the world around you
Be different from your family, your friends, and media ideas and images
Feel and be safe
Become independent
Follow our passions and be the real you!
Journaling Warm Up Questions:
1. What does respect mean to you? What do you think it means to your family and friends?
2. In your life right now, what are some ways you’re getting and giving respect?
3. Name the people in your life you most respect. Why do you admire them or feel they deserve your respect? (They can be people you know or people you’ve read about.)
4. Are all of your rights being honored by you and those around you? If so, how? If not, why?
5. Think about some disrespectful situations you’ve dealt with recently. How did you handle things? What could you have done differently? What might happen next time?
PLEASE NOTE: Nothing in what you find here should be construed as medical advice pertinent to any individual. As is true with all written materials, and especially information found on the internet, you must be the judge of what appears valid and useful for yourself. Please take up any questions you might have regarding the content of this web site with your psychotherapist or physician.