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‘Good Girl Syndrome’ Is Real, and It’s Not as Wholesome as It Sounds

Experts say the pattern can turn kindness into people-pleasing, self-silencing, and resentment when women learn to put themselves last.

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Growing up, many girls are taught to be quiet, modest, helpful, and agreeable. Only then are they praised for being a “good girl”—or really, for accommodating those around them, even at their own expense.

This deep conditioning often plagues women into adulthood, showing up in their close relationships, careers, and even self-worth. Betraying yourself to make someone else happy or comfortable is not an act of love; it’s blatant self-disrespect and a direct result of “good girl syndrome.”

Are you tired of neglecting your own desires and needs while getting nothing in return? Here’s what you should know about good girl syndrome—and how to finally drop the act.

What Is Good Girl Syndrome?

According to Bonnie Lambert, PMHNP-BC, LPC, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Licensed Professional Counselor, “‘Good Girl Syndrome’ refers to an informal........

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