Self-esteem
Rationalization of self-esteem as derived from the book, Adolescence published by New Harbinger
The basis of this explanation is a book by McKay et al, titled Adolescence. The authors of this book refer to self-esteem as self-image, a reflection of oneself from his or her point of view. They argue that in order to evaluate the self-esteem of an individual, there are certain factors to look out for this factors include confidence, courage, and reactions to certain scenarios among other factors. The authors give proven strong ways or tactics of assessing, building and maintaining a person’s self-esteem. In order to explain the meaning of self-esteem, they divide it into the following parts accepting someone, reacting to critics, accurate self-assessment, and compassion among other considerations. These factors determine the self-esteem of an individual. Using these divisions, one can understand the concept of self-esteem in a deeper hence a clear meaning (McKay et al, 2002).
Self-acceptance, this is the act of one accepting and embracing who one is without blaming others. One learns and accepts the events and experiences that occur in their lives without being bitter at his or herself. The authors argue that a person’s self-esteem relies on self-acceptance. Someone who learns to accept his or herself without blaming others for his or her downfalls is well thought-out to have high self-esteem. One who is not confident and blames others for his or her mistakes has a low self-esteem. They also explain self-esteem in terms of a person’s self-confidence and reaction to critics. Someone with a high self-confidence has high self-esteem, and someone with low confidence in his or herself has low self-esteem.
The way a person reacts to critics also determines his or her self-esteem. When one always takes critics negatively or as attacks aimed at him or her, he or she has low self-esteem. One who takes critics positively and views them as a stepping-stone to better performance has a high self-esteem. When does not appreciate correction or critics opinion he or she is not confident in his or herself. This means that he or she does not believe in self-confidence, healthy critics, and he or she, therefore, has low self-esteem. From the arguments of the authors, one can argue that self-confidence majorly depend on a person’s positivity towards events in his or her life. The positive one relates to happenings in his or her life the greater the self esteem he or she possesses (McKay et al).
Relation to life experience
There are many incidents, which can relate to the level of a person’s self-esteem. One can relate the explanation and arguments about self-esteem in his or her own life experience. The relation may be from positive or negative or both experiences. In this paper, the relation between the authors explanation bases on my negative experiences relating to self-esteem. Students, especially the female in my campus lack self-esteem, and confidence. Whenever one takes the initiative to appreciate how she looks, most women take it negatively. For example, in an event or incident where a boy appreciates the looks of a woman and the response indicate doubts. This is an indication of low self-esteem since the woman shows that she is not confident about her looks. The act of having doubts on a person’s self indicates that the individual has low self-esteem.
Another experience or encounter is when one faces criticism from the people within his environment, and he or she views the critics as a personal attack on his or she rather than a view on the issue discussed. Someone with high self-esteem views critics’ opinions positively, and as a stepping-stone towards better performance. When views critics as personal attacks, it indicates, that one lacks the will to change or improve and he or she does not believe in self-confidence.
Almost all negative experiences on self-esteem results from perceptions one has heard of what other people think of him or her. The negative perceptions tend to affect most individuals especially those who are around their teenage age set. People who think positively about themselves have a high self-esteem. They critics and other people’s views towards the positively, they also have an exceptional deal of confidence. The moment one loose self-confidence that is the moment his or her self-esteem declines. Self-esteem is the cornerstone to positivity and positive attitude towards life events of an individual.
I agree with the writer especially the point when pointing out the fact that self –esteem is untouchable though it has an influence on one’s life, hence when one looks at his or her reflection on the mirror it exists. Self-esteem is a feeling that exists when someone gets to think about himself or herself, be it in an affirmative or pessimistic manner. One is aware of the person he is by a look at the characters he portrays, the mode in which he associates with other people. Having the knowledge of how one relates to self-esteem creates an opportunity to change what he or she thinks gives people the unenthusiastic impression.
Self-esteem has been one of the most of the major challenges that people face in their day-to-day lives where they get to meet new people. Self-esteem tends to affect other essential areas in the human life in that overlooking it puts most individual at risks of greater heights. An individual with low self-esteem is likely to endure several vicissitudes in the social world (Morrison & Ruiz, 2012). Living in a world where people meet different individuals, there is the necessity to address issues of self-esteem to assist those having difficulties to socialize. This way, people tend to learn various ways to overcome their qualms and handle circumstances correlated with self-esteem on a much pertinent comportment.
Self-esteem fruition is throughout an individual’s life where it natures from childhood through to adulthood. One endures certain life situation that play a vital role in the determination of self-esteem in that it is either fasten or weakened. This personal experiences start at childhood, and they happen to include things like having people around someone listen, the degree of attention, as well as, affection. The influence that these factors can affect in an individual’s self-esteem is unspeakable. In lacking these experiences, one has a high chance of having a low self-esteem in the future as an adult (Morrison & Ruiz, 2012). It is, therefore, true to state that self-esteem determination is through one’s childhood and growth experiences.
Considering the relationship that I have had with self-esteem, I would have done things differently with prior knowledge in self-esteem. Most people undergo difficulties at most times since they lack the knowledge of going about the various challenges that they face. To ensure that things are different then there is the need to apply some of the acquired skills in self-esteem. Overcoming one’s fear is a crucial concept since it determines how efficient the individual will handle the challenges that he or she comes across. Therefore, with prior acquaintance concerning self-esteem I would certainly have done things differently unlike the instance discussed.
There are aspects that personally are not in consideration hence resulting to low self-esteem. The ability to accept that change within me is unfeasible since it influences recouping of a personal healthy self-esteem. Over time, acknowledging the efficiency of a healthy self-esteem has been of immense help in changing the mode of handling several situations personally. At this point, handling situations that relate to self-esteem is simpler with the knowledge (Morrison & Ruiz, 2012). There is room to start over where one has to let go off a few attitudes and perceptions that affect self-esteem. This will call for a complete personal transformation that will include a few changes. Through this will an individual, rectify the areas that have been affecting his or her self-esteem.
For one to ensure that he or she has the ability to maintain a healthy self-esteem, it is necessary to practice compassion at personal levels. Practicing self-compassion is the state of having empathy to one’s self similar to the way one will towards other people. Apparently, someone can practice the exercising of self-compassion starting with steps like having the ability to forgive one when things fail to go as planned in several ways. Another bold step is the ability to have a sense of humour on the humanness at a personal degree other than on other people. People tend to look down upon their emotions not knowing how unfair they are being to themselves (Morrison & Ruiz, 2012). Having these aspects of self-compassion, assist in ensuring that someone maintains healthy self-esteem at all times.
References
Self-esteem (third edition). (2002). Adolescence, 37(148), 864-864. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/195932043?accountid=35812
Morrison, B. S., & Ruiz, R. A. (2012). Self esteem. New York: Rosen Pub.
