I was raised to believe that "esteem" was a quality that you cannot bestow upon yourself; rather, it was something that was bestowed upon you by others, and that those who did bestow it upon themselves were generally self-important, narcissistic blowhards who came dangerously close to committing the mortal sin of Pride.
Let's imagine for a moment, however, that such a thing as "self-esteem" does exist. It has been the education establishment's belief for years now that if a child is GIVEN "self-esteem," then he will do well in school. Of course, this is complete and utter nonsense. A child will gain this "self-esteem" (which is really self-confidence -- and a whole 'nother ball of wax) only AFTER he does well at a given task. They've had it backwards for years, and I think perhaps it is the root of nearly ALL their problems for the last 25-30 years.
Regards,
I tend to agree. And yet...there will inevitably be the rare case of the individual who knows who he is and though not arrogant about it is comfortable in his own skin, who whether through chance or providential design finding himself despised for the accidental discovery of an ability to survive without social conformity and reinforcement, manages to get on with life not without suffering (for who can?), but at least without bitterness or hardened hatred, developing good humor and a philosophical and serene indifference to the vanities of the world, and if he's open to it and if God is graceful, succeeds even in coming full circle and discovering anew the value and joy of authentic human community.