Is all the emphasis on "self-esteem" a bit overdone? Do we have to keep on talking about it?

Question

Today's (Mar. 19, '07), Focus on the Family broadcast. This
particular one is in three parts...they mentioned self-esteem
and it got me thinking...

Answer 1

Let me put it to you in lay-mens terms..... I have had a low self esteem for years b/c of society's "standards" and let me tell you it hasn't been an easy road for me. I eventually learned that self esteem is just that "self" esteem. when ppl become happy with their selves they will then have all the self esteem they need b/c they gave it to them selves and didn't let others influence there thoughts. We as society lack self esteem b/c we are too worried about what the world thinks about our looks, and then often let Vogue, Marie Claire, InStyle, Elle, Glamour, and all those celebrity magazines tell us what is in and out. I believe that if we just quit talking about fashion and the skinny B**ch people might find out what "self"esteem really is. Everyone just needs to be most accepting and positive about human beings in general.

Answer 2

Look at the television today. You can't help but not focus on self-esteem. We live in a society where they tell you to have plastic surgery if your nose isn't "right." It's okay to get breast implants because the small ones' aren't "right." We need to make sure our kids learn self-esteem so they don't turn into a
"human barbie doll," just because they don't have a certain look. I don't think there is enough emphasis put on self-esteem. If there were, we wouldn't have so many people going "under the knife." Thank you and may GOD come soon to right the wrongs that have been done on this earth.

Answer 3

I looked up the definition of "self-esteem" - In psychology, self-esteem or self worth is a person's self-image at an emotional level; circumventing reason and logic. The term differs from ego in that the ego is a more artificial aspect; one can remain highly egotistical, while underneath have very low self-esteem.

I don't think that all the emphasis on "self-esteem" is a bit overdone. How a person views and feels about themself has not only an affect on said person, but also affects outwardly the relationships, and aquaintances in his or her life. A negative self-image can even lead to self-destructive behaviour patterns, as well as criminal behaviour. Just take a look in the Mental Health facilities, and the prisons. People need to be validated by others for their worth as a human being. Too many people are'nt validated, respected, or loved properly, never knowing their worth as an individual, who is special and worthy to be loved. So I would say that society has a ways to go yet...from the way we raise our own children to have a healthy self-image and validate them as worthy to be loved and respected, to the way we treat another human being in our everyday lives.

Answer 4

There is an old adage with respect to self-esteem and criminal behaviour (many criminals are described as having low self-esteem). It suggests that if you focus on self-esteem with this population, the end result is criminals who feel good about themselves! Increasingly, there is evidence to suggest some truth to this notion. A recent Scientific American article pointed out that most research in the area has failed to show that increased self-esteem has any impact on things like academic achievement and undesirable behaviour. Parents, in particular, seem so focused on their children's self-esteem that the whole concept of EARNING praise for your actions gets lost. There is something valuable in differential reinforcement. As adults, after all, we are more often rewarded for the merit of our output, not just the fact that we had some output. There is evidence that artificially enhancing self-esteem can actually lower academic performance. Students can’t achieve results simply because they think they will. So, yes, I absolutely agree that the emphasis on self-esteem has swung too far in one direction. Here's a link to the Scientific American article for a lot more information: http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=000CB565-F330-11BE-AD0683414B7F0000&pageNumber=1&catID=2

Answer 5

Self-esteem plays a big factor in A LOT of peoples everyday lives,,,,I speak from experience,,,,,
It sounds like you dont have any/many issues with your esteem,,,,that is good.
But we dont all possess that, for some, it comes so naturally it actually makes me want to get sick sometimes!!!!

Dont take that the wrong way,,,I can only wish that I felt good about myself all the time.
If you arent feeling good about yourself, you arent the only one who sees it or notices it,,,,so does everyone else, whether they know you or not,,,you can go to the mall and see who has high self-esteem and who doesnt. It's easy to see,,,,
so many things can take away that esteem when you are low on it any how,,,,

example: I could wake up tomorrow and feel great, get my self all prettied up, and go back out on the hunt for a job, I can do this, I can do this,,,,then-I see someone who I have an issue with or vice versa, and one crappy comment can jerk me flat off of my feet and straight to my face.
No longer is my head in the clouds,,,,but my esteem is now the doormat you just wiped your feet on.

It doesnt even have to be someone you know,,,,one snide comment, one downgrading statement about you, your credentials(sp?), your appearance or experience, or whatever,,,,can ruin you for the rest of the day or week,,,,

But that is just some of us,,,,we all know who we are.
And I hope there arent that many of us, cuz this sucks.

It is an important topic-when ppl take their life because they feel unwanted or not needed,,,that is low self esteem, not being secure in some area of there life, or many areas.
It is sad, but it does need to be addressed.
Tyra has paved the way for this,,,,she is my girl.
I wish I could be more like her,,,,

I dont know if this answers anything for you, but to some ppl, it is an important topic,,,

Answer 6

yes.