State of Girls: Unfinished Business ranks Maryland as 19th among the states for girls

imagesState of Girls: Unfinished Business ranks Maryland as 19th among the states for girls

Girl Scout Research Institute compiled nationwide data on key issues for national report

Maryland ranks 19th among the states for how girls are faring in key social, economic and health issues affecting the 479,066 girls ages 5 to 17 in the state, according to new data compiled by the Girl Scout Research Institute on how girls are faring in Maryland as compared to other states across the country.

The State of Girls is the first of its kind report illustrating how girls fared nationally, including steep socioeconomic challenges faced by African American and Hispanic girls. National findings from The State of Girls were released last year, and a full public launch of state-by-state data is set for this fall. The State of Girls: Thriving or Surviving? (2014) examines girls’ well-being across each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Each state is ranked based on a state index of girls’ well-being, which considers five indicators of girls’ well-being: physical health and safety, economic well-being, education, emotional health, and extracurricular / out-of-school time activities.

In these areas, Maryland ranked:

  • Physical Health and Safety 26
  • Economic Well-Being 13
  • Education 6
  • Emotional Health 22
  • Extracurricular Activities 32

According to the study, in Maryland, about 13% of school-age girls are living in poverty. About 28% of girls ages 10 to 17 are overweight or obese. Roughly 11% of girls ages 6 to 17 have experienced neighborhood violence. Roughly 47% of fourth-grade girls in Maryland are proficient in reading and 38% of eighth-grade girls are proficient in math. About 83% of girls ages 6 to 17 participate in at least one extracurricular activity.

Written in conjunction with the Population Reference Bureau in Washington, D.C., The State of Girls: Unfinished Business is the first report of its kind to focus exclusively on girls, and this state-level data paints a detailed picture of the social and economic lives that American girls ages 5 to 17 lead today. The report draws its findings from analyses of large national data sets, including the U.S. Census.

In the 2013-2014 membership year, ending September 30, Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay included 9,650 Girl Scouts and 4,077 adult members. Approximately 37 percent of Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay’s membership during the last membership year was served through grant-funded community outreach programs at schools and after school programs. These programs are designed to reach out to girls at risk and include topics such as healthy living, including the Be A Friend First anti-bullying initiative, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and financial literacy.

“The State of the Girl report for Maryland indicates while there are a lot of successes here, there is also work to be done for girls in Maryland,” said Anne T. Hogan, CEO of Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay. “But an important point is that data is not destiny. Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay and other organizations supporting girls need to continue to work in partnership to help girls feel supported and have opportunities for bright futures.”

The full report, including all state-level fact sheets, is available at: www.girlscouts.org/stateofgirls.

About Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay

A leading advocate for and expert on girls, Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay builds girls of courage, confidence and character by providing personal leadership development and programs that teach skills for the real world. GSCB encompasses 14 counties in Delaware and the Eastern Shores of Maryland and Virginia. To learn more about Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay, visit www.GSCB.org or call 302-456-7150.

About the Girl Scout Research Institute

The Girl Scout Research Institute (www.girlscouts.org/research), formed in 2000, is a vital extension of Girl Scouts of the USA’s commitment to addressing the complex and ever-changing needs of girls. Composed of a dedicated staff and advisors who are experts in child development, academia, government, business, and the not-for-profit sector, the institute conducts original research, evaluation, and outcomes-measurement studies; releases critical facts and findings; and provides resources essential for the advancement of the well-being and safety of girls living in today’s world. The GSRI also informs program, public policy, and advocacy for Girl Scouting.