People make fun of the false sense of ‘self esteem’ as it’s been cultivated in recent decades; but good sense and wisdom are traits that create authentic self esteem. When you have that, you have self respect, respect for life, and aren’t tempted to play around with silly stuff like this.
I think a lot of young people today actually think very little of themselves where it matters.
Too many children today see themselves as the center of the universe and why wouldn’t they? Parents, teachers and everyone around them tells them how great they are, but I have always suspected that in the back of their minds is a nagging suspicion that they are not as great as they have been told.
When they step into the real world and there is no one telling them how great they are, but people who actually expect them to produce and they haven’t a clue how, is the pin that pops that bubble. Which brings us back to your comment that many young people don’t think much of themselves. You are right!