Yep, they're angels now...

By  Angela Williamson

eHow Community Member

Teach girls about self acceptance, self love and self respect.

One way to start with self acceptance for African American girls, is to learn about their history and accomplishments that their ancestors had made in America. They should also study and read about exceptional American women who broke many barriers. The resources should include African American women as well. This will give them a reference that women can become anything they want, like CEO of a company.

Most importantly, African American girls should be taught to love their skin color by exposing to them to beautiful and positive images of women who look like them. This is especially important for dark skinned girls. Tell them that they are beautiful and not to fall victim of the unrealistic media standards of beauty.  Discuss the issues of light skinned vs. dark skinned in the Black community and how to break free from this negative programming. Instill in her that beauty can be found in women of all skin colors, not just one or a few. Most importantly, she must love and accept herself. Talk about the negative and positive images of women in music videos, movies, magazines, and etc.

Teach them how to take care of themselves by eating healthy, drinking water, exercising, keeping their bodies clean, and looking their best. They should also be taught how to respect themselves and how act like a lady. Many young ladies curse and display very inappropriate behaviors in public, which demonstrate a lack of respect for themselves. If you don’t respect yourself, how do you expect others to respect you. It is important for the mothers to set an example of what an honorable woman should act like.

Teach your daughter how to be proactive in dealing with racism and sexism. Tell her this should not stop her in accomplishing her goals.

More next week…