North Shore Times (New Zealand)
What matters most to modern teenage girls?
Having courage of her convictions is important to Olivia Van Kuyk.
The teenager is among thousands of her peers who ranked standing up for what she believes in, as a top quality for young women to aspire to, in a nationwide survey.
Van Kuyk, a 14-year-old Long Bay College student, believes gender stereotypes can prevent girls from getting heard.
‘‘We are more than a pretty face. We are smart, athletic, confident people regardless of our gender,’’ Van Kuyk says.
This year, Van Kuyk is helping to give issues that affect her generation a voice, through her role on the GirlGuiding New Zealand’s Ranger Advocacy Panel.
Part of her new role on the panel involves analysing the results from the What Matters? survey. GirlGuiding New Zealand surveyed 4365 girls between the ages of 7 and 17 to find out what interested them, concerned them and who they admired most. The survey also asked questions around body image, mental health, acceptance and achieving success. Girls from across the country, not just GirlGuiding New Zealand members, took part.
Like one in four respondents to the survey, Van Kuyk considers her Mum to be an important role model in her life.
Another North Shore woman that influenced Van Kuyk is her former Guide leader, Celia Wolf.
‘‘Celia, sadly, passed away in March. She was so kind, loyal, always positive and never judged. She made such an impact on so many lives that her legacy will always continue,’’ Van Kyuk says.
Role models can take many different forms, including teachers, advocates and celebrities.
‘‘I think that a good role model should be an advocate of positive change, not be afraid to stand tall, have empathy, be non-judgemental, be respected and be respectful, honest, hard working and walk the talk,’’ Van Kyuk says.
Van Kuyk, a keen footballer, found some of the qualities she values in former Football Ferns captain Abby Erceg who retired this year after speaking out on the treatment of New Zealand’s top female players.
‘‘I admire her not only for her incredible football talent but also the stand she took against New Zealand Football about the women not getting enough. I found this a very gutsy move.’’