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SALT LAKE CITY — The place a parent raises their daughter has an effect on her well-being, and Utah was recently ranked in the top 10 states for raising girls ages 5 to 17.

The Girl Scout Research Institute examined girls' welfare in all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on physical health and safety, economic well-being, education, emotional health, and extracurricular/out-of-school time activities.

Utah was ranked number 10, preceded by New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, Minnesota, Virginia and New Jersey.

According to the study, 74 percent of teen girls are interested in science, technology engineering and math, and 66 percent of girls are physically active.

Interest in education has led to 130 women enrolling in college for every 100 men, the researchers found.

The Girl Scout Research Institute found that half of the worst states in which to raise girls are in the south, Mississippi being the lowest-ranked.

According to the study, one in three school-age girls are in poverty.

"In particular, black/African-American and Hispanic/Latina girls face significant challenges in making successful transitions to adulthood," the Girl Scout Research Institute wrote on its website. "However, we know that 'data is not destiny' and Girl Scouting is committed to ensuring all girls reach their full potential."

Last year, The Stir ranked Utah the number one state in which to raise a family in the safe/risky behavior category, and No. 4 overall.

Earlier this month, however, WallStreet 24/7 ranked Utah as one of the worst places for women when it comes to earning money for work and holding leadership positions.

The study, which analyzed women's wages, poverty rate and leadership positions in government, found that women held less than one in three management jobs.

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