Teen Girls Worry About Breast Size
September 18th, 2006
By the time they reach 18, girls in the United States of America show twice the depression rate of boys, possibly because they worry more, according to a survey conducted by psychologist Megan Gorial, PhD, from Yale University.
It is now well documented that before the age of 11, girls and boys have equal rates of depressive symptoms and depressive disorders. Between ages 11 and 15, however, girls’ depression rates rise steeply while those for boys increase only slightly.
Megan Gorial demonstrated this theory by exercising a survey of 1,248 sixth through tenth grade students in Northern California. According to the results, girls worried more than boys on the following issues:
- Physical changes, body image, and sexual identity
- Relationships with girls
- Relationships with boys
- Being safe
- Romantic relationships
- Problems with family
- Concerns about their future
- School problems and concerns
- Concerns about drugs, alcohol and smoking
- Spirituality
That is quite a list. But the most fascinating fact to learn from the survey was that the number one area of life that girls worried the most about was “Physical changes, body image, and sexual identity.” This issue was so powerful with the girls surveyed, that it exceeded the importance of all the other girl concerns combined.
Why are physical changes so important to girls? Take another look at that list above. Psychologist Megan Gorial believes that girls relate physical changes to almost all of the other issues.
“The young girls surveyed believed that their physical appearance would help or hinder their social relationships with each other and their romantic relationships.”
This would affect personal problems with drugs, their family, and the ultimate fate of their futures. To the girls, everything was related. The only issue that boys reported being more concerned about than girls was “sports and other activities.”
Can you guess what physical change worried girls the most? If you are reading this article on Hiddenfeet.com, you already know the answer.
British Teen Told No for Implants
I was reading this file and noticed a link on the website to hiddenfeet. Breasts are always on the minds of young girls here in Great Britain. When I was 12 all I wished for was big boobs. I am 22 now and developed a D Cup in my late teens. Back then it seemed like it took forever and I hated myself.
Now that I am older I don’t even care. My boobs are such a small part of who I am and how I dress. People enjoy looking at them but I shrug it off, just ignoring it all.
We all grow up and change.
There really isn’t a perfect size and there are pros and cons of having small and big breasts. You can enhance your breast shape and size through wearing a well-fitted and padded bra but girls need to learn that there is no magic pill or cream that will enhance or reduce the size of their bust.
My daughter is growing her chest faster than her friends and it was a huge focus in her life a few years ago. My husband and I got her involved with sports and that has helped her with her body image.
Hillary - sports and fitness related activities are a great way to slim down and reduce bust size while giving your daughter goals and challenges. Both my daughters are on their school’s cross country teams. At first they complained that girls with a smaller build would be faster but in the end they both noticed that they could overcome their chest size and compete well with all the girls.
Sports bras can flatten breasts and give a cup reading that’s too small so make sure your daughter knows that the cup size for a sports bra and regular school bra are different. The bottom band of a properly fitting bra should sit in the middle of their back and pass under their shoulder blades to provide the right support.
Both my daughters breasts are changing rapidly during these teen years, which means that they have had to change their sports bra size several times. Because growth can make a girl’s breasts sensitive, your daughter might find that certain styles or fabrics work better than others. My girls like seamless cups and choose styles that minimize breast jiggle.
Girls need to relax and know that not all guys think only about breast size. I concentrate on personality, not a girls looks. I honestly don’t care about your size. Many guys think it’s just a bonus if you’ve got em.
I agree with Justin and will go one step further.
The ability to attract men needs to be taught to girls by their parents at a young age. Men can be attracted to many many different physical female characteristics. Girls will focus on what is “lacking” rather than enjoy what is “available.” Why care about breast size and loose out on the chance to impress men in other ways?
Jenny has the right idea. Body care - and to me that includes diet, wardrobe, makeup (though less is more), hair, posture - is neglected by girls these days. I see girls falling into the trap of constant self doubt because they lack knowledge of these areas. Obviously body care should be secondary to mental health - school / education - but girls grades will suffer if they lack social confidence just like the studies in this Hiddenfeet article show. Parents need to take an interest in promoting their daughter’s development of mental AND physical health.
I have considered writing an owners manual for girls with big boobs. We will be posting an article about this author and book soon.
help…im trying to find someplace to buy my 13yr old daughter bras an nice tops, she is a 34 triple d an we cant find anything that fits or dosent make her look fat. she is only a size 3 sometimes 5 everywhere else. so i end up buying the larger size an taking it in so it fits right.any suggestions would be great. thanks
Sweetbeach, there are hiddenfeet readers posting great suggestions to the articles in our clothing section. We will have a links area built in the coming weeks with plenty of stores that carry quality products for teens.
Best wishes!
My cousin is eager to find out how to flatten her breasts, she’s only twelve. Her ” breasts” are more developed then her twelve year old friends. She does not wear a bra. Any suggestions? Besides that, I agree with most of you. Girls should accept how their body is, without anything done to it. Not all men/boys focus on how girls look, personality and intelligence do matter.
Emily tell your cousin to start wearing a bra. I know girls as young as twelve might not want to but it will help her learn to manage her breasts as she gets older.
I knew a girl in my school growing up who started budding at ten or eleven years old and refused to wear a bra. What happened was the movement from her breasts against her clothing stated to chafe her nipples and she was in constant pain.
A bra might seem like trouble to someone that young but they can prevent tissue damage, irritation and discomfort.
I told my parents to get me a bra too early. I never needed one but the other girls all had them. Few years later I really needed one and actually felt better about myself. There was a few months that I hoped my boobs would not get too large so that I would look silly. I am and will always be a DD it seems. Being different in any way will cause people to worry. For teen girls, boobs are just what makes us different. No two boobs are alike.
If you are getting heckled at school because of your boobs I always tell girls to remember that there will come a time when many of those who made fun of you will come to envy you and your boobs. To boys and girls getting older breasts are a sign of maturity. All women get them in some shape or size. But yes, being a teenage is rough.
My boobs were no where to be found until I was in the 8th grade. I was late to bloom. I worried I would be flat. My mom even caught me sleeping in my bra in hopes that it would help my boobs grow. I always thought that wearing a bra a lot would signal my boobs to get bigger. Nothing happened till the 8th grade. They hurt like heck coming in but I was so happy. I grew a Dcup in like four months from nothing. I still have small stretch marks from how fast they grew at that age. It was weird but I was happy. I know it seems stupid now but boobs are looked as a being a symbol of womanhood. Girls without boobs are looked as being boyish. It shouldn’t matter but the truth is at a young age for most girls it does matter.
“I know it seems stupid now but boobs are looked as a being a symbol of womanhood. Girls without boobs are looked as being boyish. It shouldn’t matter but the truth is at a young age for most girls it does matter.”
Thats why this site is important for girls. Thanks Sara!
Growing up I only worried when people around me made a fuss over them. Telling me to cover up, or hide my boobs. Big deal, other girls were flat and I was busty. I didn’t care.
And still don’t in college. :)
I am 18 years old and have had problems with my breasts all my life. Big boobs run in my family and I unfortunately have it the worst out of anyone I know. I am a 38 H. But I am 160 pounds so I know I really need to loose weight. I have never had a boyfriend. I am going to college this winter so now is going to be the chance for me to do a makeover on myself this summer. I am using a ski machine and swimming four times a week at my gym. I have almost lost two inches off my hips so I am positive that I can look slimmer and find a boyfriend in college. I sent you a picture of myself Sara! This is a great website! XOXO!
It is much harder I think growing up with larger than average breasts. I have had a DD cup since I was 14 and am 17 now. Larger breasts restict sports I can play, and the clothes I can wear. I think my breasts make me look much larger than I am. I envy flat chested girls!
autumn - We got your message and are willing to help you further but you need to speak with your parents first before we can help. After you have done that, have them contact us.