Lego study: How our society slows down girls' creativity
7.3.2024
Translation: machine translated
A Lego study shows that even five-year-olds feel restricted by pressure to be perfect and language patterns. How does this affect girls and what steps can be taken to boost their creative confidence?
Lego has published a study that sheds light on how the pressure to be perfect and everyday language patterns prevent girls in particular from realising their full creative potential. Over 61,500 parents and children from 36 countries took part in the study. It shows that girls' creative self-confidence is already impaired at the age of five. While three quarters of girls still see themselves as creatively confident at the beginning, this figure decreases as they get older.
Jennifer B. Wallace, a recognised parenting researcher and bestselling author, emphasises: "Creative confidence is crucial for self-esteem, reduces stress and increases happiness. It is also considered one of the most important skills for the working world of the future."
The influence of language and gender stereotypes
The study found that more than 60 per cent of girls feel pressured by society's ideals of perfection. Almost two thirds of girls aged five to twelve say that the language they hear every day makes them feel insecure and afraid of making mistakes. The results also show that girls and boys are rated differently, with girls often being labelled with attributes such as "sweet", "pretty""cute" or "beautiful", while boys are seen as "brave", "cool", "brilliant" or "innovative".
Interestingly, more than half of children believe that adults are more likely to listen to boys' creative ideas, and 68 per cent of parents agree that society takes male creatives more seriously.
Lego is committed to change
Lego is committed to promoting girls. With their campaign, they aim to empower girls in their creativity and break down social stereotypes. This includes the guide "10 steps to boosting creative confidence", which is designed to support parents.
In summary, the study clearly shows how social trends and language patterns affect girls' creative confidence. Conscious changes in the way we speak and encourage girls can have a positive effect on their development and self-confidence. <p
Header image: Lego
Riding my motorbike makes me feel free, fishing brings out my inner hunter, using my camera gets me creative. I make my money messing around with toys all day.