Shining a Light on Girls’ Mental Health: A Global Concern from School to Society
New insights reveal that girls face a pervasive mental health crisis as much as boys, challenging the notion that boys’ struggles alone drive the conversation. Health experts warn that framing this as a gender competition harms both sides and distracts from root causes. The Children’s Commissioner for England cautions against pitting genders against each other, urging a more nuanced understanding that benefits all young people.
While discussions on gender gaps in education often highlight girls’ apparent academic edge, the impact on well-being is less visible. Earnings research shows men may accumulate higher lifetime earnings despite early career challenges, largely due to parenthood’s effects on women. This underscores persistent biases that shape outcomes well into adulthood and highlights the need for policy that supports all families.