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Raising girls is a process of shaping their personality, confidence, and skills so that they can realize their potential and actively participate in society. Traditionally, this process has been viewed through the lens of competition: girls were raised to overcome gender stereotypes and compete with boys for equal opportunities. However, the new approach to balancing gender roles — shifting from competition to synergy — offers a different perspective on raising girls. Instead of opposing girls to boys, synergy emphasizes cooperation between the sexes, where their complementary qualities enhance the overall result. Here, the difference between individuals is determined by specific abilities, not gender, making synergy especially relevant. Applying this approach to raising girls can enrich their development and contribute to the creation of a harmonious society.


Raising Girls in the Context of Competition

Historically, raising girls was aimed at overcoming the barriers created by social expectations. Girls were taught to fight against limitations — whether it was access to education, early marriages, or stereotypes about “female” roles. Initiatives like campaigns for girls’ education (such as Malala Yousafzai’s work) emphasized the need to give them the same opportunities as boys. This approach brought successes: by 2025, according to UNESCO, the gender gap in primary education has been reduced in many countries. However, the emphasis on competition — “girls vs. boys” — sometimes led to the perception that their achievements threatened male positions, furthering division instead of unity.

Studies show that behavioral differences are often linked to individual traits, not gender. For example, experiments in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization (~2019) note that some people tend to compete in public settings, while others perform better in cooperative tasks, regardless of gender. Traditional education for girls focused on developing their competitive qualities so they could “prove themselves,” but rarely used individual abilities to create joint opportunities. As a result, raising girls risks remaining a struggle for equality through competition, rather than partnership.


Gender Synergy as a New Path for Raising Girls

Gender synergy redefines raising girls as a process that brings them together with boys for mutual development. The difference between individuals is determined by specific abilities, not gender, and this approach highlights how personal qualities — social sensitivity, determination, and the ability to collaborate — can complement each other. Together, girls and boys are capable of achieving more than separately.

An example can be found in research from Scientific Reports (2020), where mixed-gender pairs in cooperative games showed better results than same-sex groups. If applied to raising girls, programs can be created where boys and girls learn to interact, relying on their strengths. For example, joint school projects on social issues (ecology, technology) can leverage some students' coordination skills and others' bold initiatives. This approach fosters confidence in girls and teaches boys to value diverse contributions, breaking down stereotypes.


Practical Application of Synergy to Raising Girls

1. Education Through Cooperation
Programs such as STEM courses can be redirected to focus on teamwork. Instead of teaching through competition, mixed teams solve problems where success depends on individual talents, not gender. This strengthens girls' skills and shows boys the value of diversity, fostering respect for joint efforts.

2. Leadership in Partnership
Raising girls involves developing leadership qualities. The synergy approach offers a model of joint leadership: girls and boys lead school clubs or projects together. For instance, one with mediation talent and the other with organizational skills can head an initiative, strengthening each other and encouraging others to appreciate teamwork.

3. Family and Cultural Support
In families, synergy is reflected in joint parenting, where parents demonstrate partnership. If boys see that their sisters' development strengthens the family, it creates a foundation for cooperation. Media campaigns highlighting the successes of mixed teams can solidify this idea in society.


Women's Success as Empowerment, Not Weakening Men

Women's success should not weaken men — on the contrary, it can become a catalyst for their own growth. Within the synergy framework, the achievements of girls, whether in education, sports, or leadership, are not seen as a threat to boys but as an opportunity for joint progress. When girls demonstrate their abilities — for example, by organizing a project or solving a complex problem — it inspires boys to develop their talents, such as initiative or strategic thinking. Rather than feeling threatened, boys are motivated to improve themselves, seeing how their contribution complements the success of girls. This approach breaks the myth that gender achievements are a zero-sum game and replaces it with the understanding that the success of one gender strengthens the other.

Moreover, synergy allows men to rethink their role in society. The success of girls, supported by their individual abilities, encourages boys to go beyond traditional expectations — being only “strong” or “dominant.” Instead, they can develop flexibility, empathy, and collaboration, which are increasingly valuable in the modern world. For example, in mixed teams, boys learn to trust girls' leadership, while girls rely on boys' support, creating a dynamic where everyone becomes stronger through the other. Thus, women's success not only does not weaken men, but on the contrary, enriches them, opening new horizons for growth and interaction.


Benefits and Challenges

Applying synergy to raising girls promises significant benefits. It enriches their development, allowing them to use boys’ support as allies, not competitors, and emphasizes individual abilities as the key to success. Moreover, it reduces social tension, replacing opposition with partnership. On a global scale, synergistic raising of girls could contribute to effective solutions — for example, in the fight against poverty or environmental challenges. However, there are challenges. Deep-rooted traditions may hinder equal partnership, and girls, accustomed to fighting for their rights, may be wary of cooperation, fearing a loss of independence. For success, balance is needed: synergy must complement the individual development of girls, not replace it.


Conclusion: Raising Girls Through Synergy

Raising girls is not only their personal growth but also an opportunity for society to rethink gender roles. The shift from competition to synergy offers a new path: instead of raising girls to compete with boys, they can be raised alongside them, relying on individual abilities rather than gender. As of March 13, 2025, this approach is already being reflected in educational experiments and social programs. Raising girls through synergy creates a world where differences become a source of unity, not division. Together, girls and boys can achieve more than alone.