forever – good little girls

“Studies conducted by Harvard professor Carol Gilligan and Colby College professor Lyn Mikel Brown from 1986 to 1990 have revealed that something truly phenomenal happens to girls around adolescence. They undergo a gradual change where they lose their feisty spirit, courage and willingness to speak out – qualities that had known in girlhood. Around this time their truth becomes silenced, held back. They become afraid of conflict with males, because they know on some level that males hold the power. They become – perhaps forever – good little girls, settling into the cliques and limits imposed on their gender.” ~ Sue Monk Kidd

Painting by Elisabeth Slettnes