Subscribe with Deak (2002) argues that girls are a subset of the species that cares deeply about belonging and connecting, has a propensity for emotional expression and intimacy, and often a heightened sensitivity for reading the social scene.
She explains the “Strudel Theory”
“Start with her personality, and label it either sweet cherries or tart apples. Imagine adding a cup of sugar (your loving attention), some salt and spices (friends and family interactions), a pastry crust (home and school environments), and some heat (the excitement and pressures of everyday life) and bake it all together. No matter how carefully you measure or mix those ingredients, each strudel is going to turn out a little differently, depending on the characteristics of the fruit and spices, and the chemistry that occurs in the mixing and baking.”
In human terms, Strudel Theory says that whatever qualities a girl’s basic nature brings to the mix, the layering of experiences and actions over time, on an hourly, daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis, leave a lasting impression on a girl and profoundly shape her image of herself and herself in relation to others.
Read Raising Confident Girls article here
