America's Self-esteem Problem

Opinion Forum ^ | June 7, 2010 | Dr. Jim Taylor

[DanMiller]

Yes, we have a self-esteem problem in our country, but we don’t recognize it because, well, we have a self-esteem problem. We need look no further than the bewildering popularity of the reality-TV show Jersey Shore and the instant celebrity garnered from its inhabitants despite their complete absence of qualifications. Though, admittedly, the bar for “success” in America these days is set scarily low; in the case of Jersey Shore and most of the famous-for-being-famous world), dark tans (haven’t they heard of melanoma?), large breasts, muscles, and ‘tude seem sufficient.

It is safe to say that these New Jersey denizens hold very high opinions of themselves as expressed in just about everything they say and do. But here’s the problem: that so-called self-esteem that makes them seem so self-assured has all the makings of a Potemkin village. In other words, that high regard in which they hold themselves doesn’t seem to have any basis in reality.

[equalitybeforethelaw]

Never seen the show, but I did notice that Obama has a dark tan and no objective achievements for fame. So is Obama going to be a guest on this show?

[ClearCase_guy]

In other words, that high regard in which they hold themselves doesn’t seem to have any basis in reality.

I don't know if it is a "cause" or an "effect", but Liberalism has to fit into this equation somewhere. Liberals just want to feel good about themselves -- they don't care if their ideas do not work.

[garyhope]

He would be perfect for it wouldn’t he?

All gloss and empty, meaningless words and poses.

Everything fake and phony and totally lacking in insight and self examination.

[stevie_d_64]

I agree...The premise of this article seems to imply that this is a national (citizenry) issue...

But I dissagree, because these idiotic TV shows do NOT represent me or most people I know...

We have an elected caste of idiots who unfortunately are elected to represent us, yet their values and actions in that capacity do not...

Most of this is due to be rectified soon, but I believe those that we put in place of them are not going to be able to do much about the “serious” problems we are all facing, regardless if we agree or dissagree with this “complex” being illuded to by the author...

Those of us who love and defend our country, and believe in its purpose and existence are hampered by elected leadership who apologize and bow too much to the rest of the world...When the rest of the world really needs a strong country to stand up to the injustices and threats to freemen and women around the world...Yet, it is being whittled away everyday...

That needs to be stopped...

[ScareyFast63]

With liberals it is all about “good intentions”!. An NFL running back can always say, “I intended to score, but I tripped”, that is no excuse, either one is successful or not!. No excuses.

The Road to Hell is Paved with good intentions, good intentions don't mean squat, the only thing that counts is success.

Liberal, good intentioned pipe dreams don't cut it, especially when those pipe dream and s$it schemes are ruining the USA!

[Huck]

I haven't seen Jersey Shore (shut off tv servive last October), but from what I hear, the people on that show are not FROM New Jersey. They're from New York somewhere.

IMO, the problem with our culture is that adulthood has become uncool. Everyone wants to be a teenager or college-age hipster. So you have children raising children. Responsibility is uncool. Self-reliance is uncool. Character is uncool.

[SMARTY]

“Where did our society err in our failed attempts to build true self-esteem in our children?”

I don’t know. Self-esteem problem??? ... NOT me! And if Americans would like to understand the country better, just turn off the TV and look around your community! THAT is America.

Example:

Until the Gulf war, I used to think that the US was ‘past it’,. I was ready to see the US military fail and fail disastrously. I had heard, ever since vets returned from Vietnam, that the US military was irreversibly flawed and systemically inefficient. I looked at the representation of young people in the MSM and was convinced that the American vitality (for lack of a better word) was gone. You could ask anyone who knows me… what I was saying: ‘The US will never win another war’…because, I was SO disgusted with the MSM portrayal of American youth and the scorn the MSM showed for patriots and patriotism.

Fortunately, the conflict in the Gulf proved that the MSM message was not only mistaken, but it demonstrated that for decades, the MSM had lied with calculated intent. I live in a small town and I (along with others) had foolishly permitted the MSM to obscure the actual facts of clean-living, hard-working, honorable and sincere families of American moral courage and the level of genuine patriotism which most Americans sincerely feel-no matter how hard the MSM tries to portray patriotism as the most laughable of sentiments.

During the Gulf war, I had never been so pleasantly surprised in my life. The young men and women of the US military stood up to remarkable challenges. They outperformed even my wildest expectations, and I can tell you that I was ready to measure their success against my father’s stories about fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. These young people were spectacular … and they came from somewhere!!!

They came from the America…the America that the MSM would like you believe does not exist. This element of the authentic American society has a scope and depth which the MSM consistently and intentionally misrepresents, oversimplifies and tries so desperately to invalidate… if it is acknowledged at all.

[cvq3842]

These days, people seem to be proud of things that they used to be ashamed of, and vice-versa.

[mountainlion]

Liberals will never have self esteem because their utopia can never be realized. Their anger and vicious tongues are a turn off to the majority. They are only 10-17% of the population and their ideas are reprehensible to the majority.

[DontTreadOnMe2009]

dark tans (haven’t they heard of melanoma?), large breasts, muscles, and ‘tude seem sufficient.

None of those do anything great for me.

May I suggest?

Nice smile., large brain, kind personality, generous heart ...

[I Buried My Guns]

But I dissagree, because these idiotic TV shows do NOT represent me or most people I know...

Me either, but the ruinous influence of these shows cannot be denied. Their influence works slowly, and is insidious (example: little girls with tight shorts that say "juicy" on the butt - That descent into slutdom did not happen overnight). The sooner we nuke Hollywood and erase their values from our nation, the sooner we can begin the hard task of rebuilding our decimated, polluted culture.

[ExTexasRedhead]

Considering the outrage in NYC, I’d say we have a lot of problems.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjS0Novt3X4&feature=player_embedded

[BenLurkin]

instant celebrity garnered from its inhabitants despite their complete absence of qualifications

[Dr. Jim Taylor]

Thanks for the great thoughts on my post. I figured that it would receive mostly support.

But I don’t think it is fair to make this a political issue, specifically, blaming liberals for the self-esteem movement or bringing up Obama (more on him shortly).

Here’s some news: I am a liberal! Yes, liberals can believe that we are soft on kids and that we need to be tougher. I hope those of you who fell back on this stereotype are willing to rethink it. We should be trying to debunk not foster such steretypes.

The reality is that this is a national problem that has more to do with popular culture, media, and affluence than politics. BTW, I have seen research that reality TV is more popular in the heartland than the coasts. So it is all our problems and the sooner we recognize this the sooner we can work together to find solutions.

And, no, not all young people in America are like this. I travel the country and meet thousands of them each year. There are good “kids” out there; hard working, engaged, etc. At the same time, I also see many like those I allude to in my post. And, yes, the media makes them role models to which to aspire.

Re: “Liberals will never have self esteem because their utopia can never be realized. Their anger and vicious tongues are a turn off to the majority. They are only 10-17% of the population and their ideas are reprehensible to the majority.” I love the way we view the world through the lens of ideology. I have heard liberals say the exact same thing about the Right and Libertarians. Who is right? Even though I’m a liberal, I’m not so ideological to think that the Left is right (no pun intended).

Re: “instant celebrity garnered from its inhabitants despite their complete absence of qualifications.” Again, through the lens of one’s ideology. From simple meanas to a law degree from Harvard and becoming a Senator by age 42 is clearly not a lack of qualifications or accomplishment. And liberals could easily say the same about George Bush, who got through life riding on the wealth and influence of his father. He had been a failure in every business venture in which he had been involved and was always bailed out by his father or his father’s friends.

I don’t want my comments to start an ideological battle. To the contrary, I simply want to create some awareness that our views of the world are heavily colored by our beliefs about the world. And we might want to admit that such certainty of our own views and demonization of others’ is really harmful for our country.

I wonder if FP would be open to a liberal blogger!

In any event, I appreciate your reading and commenting on my post.

[stevie_d_64]

Well, I have to believe it is a lot more than just Hollywood slapping “Juicy” on the backside of girls shorts...

I spent some time with my wife’s 4th grade class on the lasst week of school...And some of the boys were working hard on some of the cute girls in her class...

They thought I was hip to the idea...I flat out told them they had better start respecting girls and not assume anything about what they “think” they are going to do to girls in the future...

Then a couple of the girls thought I was cool about them and got all chummy...I balanced the ledger and told them why should they expect any respect if all they are doing is garnering the attention of boys in such a degrading manner???

Don’t think I even made a dent, either way...