What Girls Need is a book highlighting the skills and traits that girls need to cultivate to become the leading light in a patriarchal society. Marisa Porges, the author, narrates how girls should map new ways to inhabit traits like bravery, resilience, and confidence. Porges uses her experiences to encourage girls to go for what they want. When she was a second-year student training for the U.S military, an experienced senior officer told her that she was not quite up to the standards required to become a navy aviator. The senior officer was judging her based on her gender.
The discouragement subjected to her by a senior naval aviator still lingers on Porges's mind. The challenges she has faced before making it in life compels her to teach girls what they need to become successful in class and life. Porges points out that we have a collective responsibility to prepare girls to be innovators, leaders, and game-changers. Girls should learn skills and traits that empower them to be the best selves. As such, girls would be able to apply determination, confidence, and courage in real-world situations.
The book shows how teachers, parents, family members, and friends' collective responsibility can enable girls to develop abilities required to be aggressive and confident. Porges uses case studies and research to present her argument. Girls should not be distracted by gender bias that still permeates our society today. The book encourages girls to take action when necessary and be bold enough to speak up for themselves.
