Self-esteem is the development of a sense of self. It is one’s physical, emotional, social, intellectual and educational traits. It is said that self-esteem is one of the most important development task of adolescence. It helps kids understand who they are, and sculpts them into confident individuals. Over the years self-esteem among youth has dropped, making low self-esteem a very common issue within today’s youth. The youth are our future; they are the foundation to a better world, in ordered to live in a better world we must educate kids and help sculpt them into strong and confident individuals. By ignoring this issue we are not only affecting kids, but we are also harming ourselves.
Media has had a lot to do with this drastic change. Although media has had a positive outcome with society it has been proven that media has effected society by projecting a stereotype for both men and women in appearance as well as, body weight. This causes, kids to become ashamed of themselves which, ultimately leads to change in personality, just to fit in it with the crowd. Two other contributing factors to this social problem are, Mental, or physical abuse, such as taunting or bullying. Kids who are victims of bullying in younger years repeat the cycle of bullying, usually because they are trying to make themselves feel better by belittling others. However, this does not help boost their self-esteem, if anything it only makes them lonelier by estranging others from them. Also lack of relationships with peers, and traumatic childhood memories play a role in developing low self-esteem. For example, during a traumatic divorce, an adolescent may experience hurt from the inflicted on either parent causing the child’s self-esteem to go down and be an impediment to a future intimate relationship. Lack of affection from parents or family members also lowers children’s self-esteem. Kids tend to believe if their parents are not able to love them, than who will.
Ultimately, bullying, lack of affection, and media will trigger many negative and unhealthy behaviors in youth because, a child with low self-esteem will usually suffer from depression. Making the child’s feelings of worthiness, failure, and shame intensify. As low confidence increases, the possibility of rebellious acts increases as well. Such as running away from home or talking about running away. Also, substance abuse is effect from low self-esteem, teens are mostly at risk in using drugs and alcohol as an attempt to “self medicate” their frustration, and depression. However, substance abuse weakens an individual, making them more vulnerable to end up in addiction. These are usually signs of cry for help.
Low confidence can also cause a child to have low energy, and concentration difficulties, leading to poor attendance, grades, and behavior at school. Eating disorders are also generated by low self-esteem. Girls are typically the ones inflicted with eating disorders like, anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating but certainly not the only ones subject to these disorders. Most eating disorders start with appearance insecurities, which are usually due to stereotypes projected by media. Violence in kids is also another behavior that kids endure when, under low self-esteem. Self-injuries, such as cutting, burning, suicide and other kinds of self-mutilation are also associated with depression and some sort of low confidence.
If this problem is not readdressed, the consequences will intensify, causing a weaker and less productive world. Self-esteem is the fundamental building block of an individual’s performance. In order, to potentially have successful doctors, scientists, and lawyers we need to make sure our kids are ready to take on that role by increasing their self-esteem.
There are various ways to preventing the cycle of low self-esteem. Although we’ll never be able to completely prevent media from projecting what they want, there are other ways to help avoid a child from viewing these images and shows. For example, limiting the amount of sexual content, and violence kid’s watch will help turn kids away from, the importance media tries to portray in certain stereotypes. This can be done by blocking, adult rated channels or, limiting the amount of time a child watches television. Increasing a child’s outdoor activities will make a child want to spend more time outside rather than indoors watching TV. Setting up a bedtime for kids will also prevent kids from watching adult shows that are given late at night.
Setting up outside school programs will also help increase a child’s self-esteem. This will help children find comfort outside of their homes and schools, which will prepare them for the real world. Also by interacting with other kids, the will live a healthier social life and be less likely to feel lonely. Spending time and connecting with other adults will make kids feel secure, and loved. Children who tend to look up to a specific individual in their life will be less likely to develop rebellious behaviors because they want to be like their role models, or shine for their role models.
Kids start to develop an understanding for who they are from k-6th grade, if schools were to provide self-esteem or self-evaluation classes kids would be more likely to understand who they are at a younger age making them less vulnerable to the effects of media, bullying, and teasing. Classes could provide talks and speeches on confidence, and the effects that media could have on one if, followed. The class could also, provide show and tells, and talent shows which would, provide kids with a broad amount of knowledge on things that matter to them the most, and it will also expose their hidden talents. Classes should set up different work stations with four or less different kids each day. This will allow kids to interact with other students aside from their groups of friends, and minimizing the amount of kids in each group will allow them to get to know one another more which, will mostly likely, make them gain mutual respect for one another. Class days with, parents involved should also be part of the school curriculum. Making parents a part of the kids education, will not only make a child closer to their parents but it will also give the child a sense of importance which, always tends to boost child self-esteem.
If these solutions are to be implanted within our society not only will we minimize the amount of kids with low self-esteem but increase the productiveness in society. Confident individuals will become leaders of a better and happier world, only if this issue is not ignored anymore.
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