Close the dream gap. Women's International day.

International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8th every year. It is a focal point in the movement for women's rights. After the Socialist Party of America organised a Women's Day on February 28, 1909 in New York, the 1910 International Socialist Woman's Conference suggested a Women's Day be held annually. 

A few days ago, I came across a stirring video. I think that everyone needs to watch it and think about the gap we have created in terms of building up girls' own identity throughout the years.  

What is the Dream Gap Project?

The Dream Gap Project is an ongoing global initiative that aims to give girls the resources and support they need to continue to believe that they can be anything. Here’s why you should care and how you can help the girls in your life.

Over the past year, research done at NYU, the University of Illinois, and Princeton identified that starting at age five and by age six, young girls are less likely than boys to view their own gender as smart, and begin to lose confidence in their own competence. They begin to develop limiting self-beliefs and they stop believing their gender can do or be anything. The self-limiting beliefs these stereotypes create can snowball to affect a girl’s trajectory and future career choices. They may even discourage women to pursue prestigious careers, especially in fields that value brilliance. This is called the “Dream Gap.”

Does it affect me?

If you don’t think this affects you, I promise it does. Even if you’re doing an awesome job raising your daughter (you very well could be!), you don’t have a daughter, or you’re not a parent, these cultural stereotypes are often perpetuated by the media and grown-ups who subtly reinforce them. You might be contributing to this gap without even knowing it.
So how can you help? The Dream Gap Project website lists seven fabulous ideas that are easy and that everyone can do, such as challenging gender stereotypes or nurturing social and emotional learning.

The video is worth watching, there is no doubt about it. However, it should not be forgotten that it is Barbie the company that has created this movement. Aren't they responsible for creating that proptotype of  "perfect"women with extremely long and unreal legs?