Last August, a magazine for girls was released that made a lot of noise on the internet. It’s called Kazoo and it’s a different take on what a magazine for girls can be like. Instead of beauty and fashion tips for girls, Kazoo has instructions for a scavenger hunt, science experiments, comics, games involving secret codes, and more.
According to Connections.Mic, mom Erin Bried started Kazoo when her 5-year-old daughter Ellie, who loves outer space and tree climbing, could not find a magazine that reflected her own interests. To raise money for the magazine, she launched a Kickstarter campaign, and thankfully it went on to become the highest funded journalism Kickstarter campaign ever. (Kazoo's second issue comes out this October and it ships worlwide but not single copies.)
Erin clarifies that Kazoo is not anti-princess. "I don't think there's anything wrong with princesses," Bried said in an interview with Connections.Mic. "I think pink is a beautiful color." But, she added, "I think it's wrong when that's the only thing we offer our kids."ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWWe have the important duty to empower our daughters and young girls to follow their passions and dreams, no matter what they may be, even if (and often, especially if) it doesn’t conform to society’s restricting gender roles and stereotypes. We should let our girls know they can be engineers, scientists, politicians and mixed martial arts instructors, too.
There are a lot of ways to show our girls' their beauty, capability, and strength. Giving them access to literature like Kazoo is one. But you can even go simpler like introducing them to these wonderful quotes and songs. Let them learn it by heart and, parents, always sing along.
1. Inspire courage with the words of Joan of Arc.
Get this poster by Emily McDowell on Etsy.
2. Let Sara Bareilles' words show them they can be their true self.
Maybe there's a way out of the cage where you live
Maybe one of these days you can let the light in
Show me how big your brave is
Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly, I wanna see you be braveCONTINUE READING BELOWwatch nowWhat other parents are reading
3. Let them know they should never give up.
“When girls are young, they’re not afraid to ask for what they want. They’re not shy about taking up space or making noise. They own their bodies and are proud of what they can do, how fast they can run and high they can climb. They ask questions (and, as any parent knows, sometimes endlessly). And yet, by adolescence, too many begin to question their own voice. The fallout is real.” – Kazoo Magazine/Facebook
4. Let them know this can be all it takes.
Get this poster by Valentina Harper on Etsy.
5. Inspire strength with the words of Malala Yousafzai
“We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back. We call upon our sisters around the world to be brave – to embrace the strength within themselves and realize their full potential.” – Malala Yousafzai
6. Invite them to watch a video that can say it all.
Looks like a girl, but she's a flame
So bright, she can burn your eyes
Better look the other way
You can try but you'll never forget her name
She's on top of the world
7. Show them role models from all walks of life.ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
Check out the rest from this series at Global Fund for Women (globalfundforwomen.org/international-day-of-the-girl).
