He Said, She Said: Is this the key to raising girls who like themselves?

Raising girls (and boys) who like themselves is a noble parenting aim, but one easier said than done.

The issue is particularly complex when it comes to girls, who grow up subject to intense social pressures regarding how they look and how their value is measured.

In the latest episode of 9Honey's He Said, She Said, hosts Ben Fordham and Shelly Horton tackle a sticky question:

Is it OK to compliment young girls about their looks, or could that give them the wrong idea about what matters in life?

As a father of two girls, Pearl, four, and Marigold, one, along with son Freddie, six, it's a question that's crossed Ben's mind.

"I've always been conscious of not focusing on the looks. They do get a mention, though," the 2GB host tells Shelly.

Ben uses the example of Pearl, who's now at an age where she's interested in her appearance and "craves" praise about it.

"She's four, she loves going and getting her hair done ... she loves putting her tutu on, she loves putting shoes on," he says.

"What am I going to say? Pretend I can't see this? ... I'm not going to not say she looks beautiful."

Watch the video at the top of the page to find out how Ben navigates this particular patch of parenting terrain, and Shelly's thoughts on the topic.