Girl Power
Regarding your story, “Girl Power” (October 2012), I’m glad that we have some institutional focus on this, but it will help a lot if parents put emphasis on academics as well. Beyond that, all adults need to pay attention to how we praise kids. Kids pay attention to what gets noticed and rewarded.
If we praise boys by saying, “You are so smart, so fast, so strong, etc.,” then what are we encouraging them to do in life as they strive for more praise?
If we praise girls by saying, “You are so beautiful, that’s such a pretty dress, what a great smile you have, etc.,” then what are we encouraging girls to do in life as they strive for more praise?
Often our praise for a girl’s appearance cuts short her motivation to achieve academically, and I think we need to stop praising our girls as such, and start praising them for being valuable, worthwhile contributors to society who have smart things to contribute in addition to good looks.
Tracey Cope, on Facebook
Wines and Wineries
I was very excited to receive my current issue of Delaware Today reviewing Delaware’s best wines and wineries. My husband and I are owners of Bouchaine Vineyards in Napa, and I am also the owner of The Wine & Spirit Company of Greenville. We have always been very involved with wine—and of course, reside in Delaware.
I truly could not understand why The Wine & Spirit Company of Greenville was relegated to page 120 and was given the least amount of commentary of all your write-ups of other stores. We have an incredible selection of wines—even good deals—and I feel we were reduced to practically a footnote in the article. In addition, throughout the years, The Wine & Spirit Company has participated in many charitable wine tastings, and is a major contributor to the local community. I was also very disappointed to not even have a brief mention of Bouchaine considering the incredible Delaware connection.
I strongly feel that greater attention could and should have been given to the The Wine & Spirit Company and Bouchaine because of our local association and the excellence of the store. I am disappointed that your feature writer, Pam George, did not consider it worthwhile to contact any of us.
Tatiana B. Copeland, Wilmington
