esrosedotblog

ESTEEM

I am a long time skeptic of the 'self esteem' movement.

I do not subscribe to the fact that low self esteem can be remedied by false praise or 'positive reinforcement'. I am not even sure that it should be.

When I was a trainer, the concepts flowed into the rooms where I taught.

I wasn't too sympathetic with the excuse (as I heard it) of low self esteem. I still am not.

There is no doubt that there are many kids and adults who have low self esteem. Nor, is there any doubt that a lot of kids and people have too much.

My observations support my hypothesis that it is a lot easier to deal with low self esteem than the high.

Arrogance, entitlement, selfishness, ego-drive; all seem to go with a strong positive sense of self. In fact undue, unearned praise creates this condition.

But, I lost the battle and quit talking about it although, one on one, I will still take on any one who I hear whining and complaining, usually blaming someone else, for how bad they feel about themselves.

This article is interesting as it breaks some of the sacred icons of the esteem movement (and yes, it is a movement and a profitable industry).

The Inverse Power of Praise

I can identify with their contention about 'smart' kids.

I was a smart kid and was labeled as such.

I invested in it. It became my identity.

They even told me (against the rules and conventions) my IQ (mensa) and what it meant.

It froze me.

I began to fear failure.

The kids in this study are me.

Maybe that is why I am so sensitive to this cockeyed notion that you should pump everybody up. There should be no differences. All that.

Interesting.

Labels: kidtime, Self Absorption