Posted on 12/21/2004 3:08:58 PM PST by shrinkermd
SUMMARY: Boosting people's sense of self-worth has become a national preoccupation. Yet surprisingly, researchshows that such efforts are of little value in fostering academic progress or preventing undesirable behavior.
People intuitively recognize the importance of self-esteem to their psychological health, so it isn't particularly remarkable that most of us try to protect and enhance it in ourselves whenever possible. What is remarkable is that attention to self-esteem has become a communal concern, at least for Americans, who see a favorable opinion of oneself as the central psychological source from which all manner of positive outcomes spring.
The corollary, that low self-esteem lies at the root of individual and thus societal problems and dysfunctions, has sustained an ambitious social agenda for decades. Indeed, campaigns to raise people's sense of self-worth abound.
Consider what transpired in California in the late 1980s. Prodded by State Assemblyman John Vasconcellos, Governor George Deukmejian set up a task force on self-esteem and personal and social responsibility. Vasconcellos argued that raising self-esteem in young people would reduce crime, teen pregnancy, drug abuse, school underachievement and pollution. At one point, he even expressed the hope that these efforts would one day help balance the state budget, a prospect predicated on the observation that people with high self-regard earn more than others and thus pay more in taxes.
(Excerpt) Read more at sciam.com ...
Well said.
SELF-ESTEEM Bogus
SELF-CONTROL Priceless
ping
I've known too many people who have thought far far too well of themselves...
IMHO, "self-esteem" = "pride", and isn't that one of the seven deadly sins?
Clap Clap clap. Well said. Well said.
The emperors, have no clothes.
Truth be known, they fear the sting of your laugher more than the sting of your stone.
People who are busy accomplishing something don't have time to worry about their self-esteem.
Good point. I haven't seen the self-esteem stuff that people think is so prevalent in at least ten years. I certainly haven't seen it in the schools in the 9 years I have taught. It is indeed a myth.
I agree with you which is why we as teachers set goals with the kids. My big one is to have all of them read on grade level by the end of the school year. The great majority make it and those who don't are close. The last two years everyone has.
I always thought 'self-esteem' was supposed to be what the Bible meant by 'love thy neighbor as thyself'.
Think about it. Doesn't say it's wrong to have self-esteem, just doesn't put you above anyone else.
IMHO.
Sure has gotten twisted and distorted though.
Never thought of it that way - kind of like "mutual and self-respect". But I tend to think of "esteem" as prideful, and "respect" as a bit more deferential.
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