The increased cost of living is eroding the happiness and wellbeing of girls in the UK, with three quarters revealing they are worried by the crisis, according to early findings of Girlguiding’s Girls’ Attitudes Survey supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
The increased cost of living is eroding the happiness and wellbeing of girls in the UK, with three quarters revealing they are worried by the crisis, according to early findings of Girlguiding’s Girls’ Attitudes Survey supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Concerningly, one in five (21%) girls aged 7-21 revealed they worry about their family not having enough food, whilst one in five (21%) 11-21-year-olds worry about not having enough money for period products or period pain medication. Girls living in areas of high deprivation are more likely to worry about their family not having enough food to eat (23% compared to 19% living in areas of low deprivation).
The findings revealed that for disabled girls these worries are even greater, with 40% of disabled 11–21-year-old girls saying they worry all the time about themselves or their families not having enough money, compared to 26% of girls the same age, who are not disabled.
The new research also highlights how the cost of living crisis is weighing just as heavily on younger girls’ minds, with one in three aged 7–10-year-olds disclosing they try not to ask their parents for pocket money or to go on school trips. When asked, 40% of all girls (7-21 years) said they have heard their parents or carers talk about the need to cut back on certain things to save money.
Two in five (43%) of older girls and young women aged 11-21 say they are spending less money on things they enjoy, such as travel, books and leisure activities because they’re worried about money. The research shows this is more likely to be the case for disabled girls (60% compared to 40% of girls who are not disabled).
When looking to their futures, almost half (47%) of girls aged 11-21 are concerned their opportunities are worse now than they were six months ago. For girls that identify as LGBTQ+ this was more likely (59% versus 43%).
The new research found for all girls and young women aged 11-21: