Introduction

The development of girls into young women has been likened by some to the transformation that takes place in the creation of the butterfly. The prepubescent girl (like the caterpillar) is androgynous and in need of proper care and nutrition to survive intact to the next stage of development. The girl then enters puberty, much as the caterpillar enters a cocoon, during this time, both beings, if protected from various outside forces, undergo an almost magical transformation. The caterpillar becomes a butterfly; the girl becomes a young woman.

For too many girls, however, the transformational state of puberty is too difficult to survive intact. Some are over-powered by the various negative forces bombarding them. They become involved in drugs and alcohol, cigarettes and sex. Some take the media-propagated images of perfection too seriously, and in conjunction with other stresses, develop eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. Still others become depressed and despondent and, unable to cope with their own emotions, turn to self-injury or suicide.

The majority of girls do endure the difficulties of puberty and emerge from adolescence as mature, competent, capable young women. They become more than fragile, decorative butterflies and move Beyond the Butterfly.

Beyond the Butterfly is co-produced by Wisconsin Public Television and NEWIST/CESA #7 (Northeastern Wisconsin In-School Telecommunications).