Aunts Matter Just as Much as Moms in Raising Girls, Expert Says
Aunts hold a very special place in the lives of girls, and new insights from parenting expert and psychologist Steve Biddulph underscore just how important they are.
Biddulph, author of Raising Girls and 10 Things Girls Need Most, explained on ABC’s Parental as Anything podcast that aunties are “a pillar of mental health for girls” and can be just as vital as mothers in supporting their growth.
He noted that there are stages when girls naturally resist listening to their parents, yet still need guidance, reassurance, and someone to lean on.
In those moments, an aunt can step in as a trusted confidant. “It doesn’t have to be a blood relation,” Biddulph explained. “It’s just somebody around your mum’s age who loves you too.”
Whether related or not, aunts provide the kind of support that helps girls navigate the pressures of adolescence, especially the challenges amplified by social media.
Spending one-on-one time, showing genuine interest in a girl’s life, and offering advice can establish bonds of trust that last a lifetime.
Without that kind of supportive figure, Biddulph warned, girls may turn primarily to their peers, who are often not equipped to provide healthy or balanced guidance, a gap that can leave them more vulnerable online and offline.
Aunts are not just family; they are anchors, role models, and safe havens. For many girls, the presence of an aunt or aunt-like figure can make all the difference in how they see themselves, handle challenges, and build resilience for the future.
