Sugar and Spice, But Not So Nice

“Sugar and Spice and everything nice…” is how society has traditionally viewed young females; however, today it would appear that our young ladies are incorporating the wrong kind of “spice” and maybe even a bit too much “salt”.   As times have changed so too have female expectations and roles in today’s world.  No longer do females just play the supportive, ancillary roles and embody all things sweet and kind.  Yet there has been a lack of preparation for adolescent females relative to the host of negative situations that regularly bombard their lives and affect their psyche ranging from self-esteem, coping skills, peer pressure, violence, drugs, abuse, sex, and much more.  The thought process of decisions and consequences is lost in their mission to gain acceptance and healing.  As a result young females tend to vent in frustration, which has caused increased aggressive behaviors in female youth ranging from expression of anger towards self to taking it out on others.  However, the anger is much deeper than the “attitude”.  Female adolescents should be validated in their desires and needs for expression and independence.  This engaging workshop intends to help young females by providing “tools” that can assist with identification of the source of their aggression, the foundation of their strengths as young females and how to better cope.  Adults working with young ladies and young ladies themselves will identify with the “not so nice” issues confronting female adolescents today.  This workshop is interactive and engages participants in identification of several destructive behaviors in which young females engage to mask their true feelings of inadequacy, hurt, guilt and shame.

In this thought-provoking workshop the facilitator will demonstrate how female adolescent thoughts, impulses, and feelings are not so foreign to adults, but have been amplified due to added stressors experienced by today’s female adolescents.  As the younger generation says, “Been there…Done that” and the older generation says, “I’ve already been where you’re trying to go…”  The facilitator will present participants with potential scenarios faced by young ladies daily and how some have not learned to properly cope and express themselves.  Participants will be presented with negative behaviors that should be viewed as cries for help with hidden issues outside young ladies’ control.  The workshop also emphasizes the importance of making positive choices and considering consequences in an attempt to re-direct those opportunities for female adolescents to explode (being hi-jacked by anger) into opportunities for wise decision-making.  Additionally, participants are encouraged to help each young lady to identify her individual positive ingredient(s) (Chemical X) that makes her uniquely different and adds more “sugar” to her “spice”.

Medical Professionals, Mental & Behavioral Health Professionals, Counselors, Social Workers, Educators, Administrators, Law Enforcement Personnel, Parents, Family Members, Anyone Who Works With Youth, Female Adolescents and Young Adults (12 and older)

Interest and Passion for working with female youth.

After this workshop participants will be able to:

CONTACT HOURS AND SCHEDULE

This workshop is designed to facilitate instruction for up to 2 hours (1 – 2 contact hours).

1. Sugar and Spice Handout
2. Note Pad/Pen (provide own)