The Self Esteem Myth

Townhall ^ | August 9, 2007 | Ashley Herzog

[Lil'freeper]

The experts are behind the curve on this one. What we really need are books on how to deal with these kids now that they’re becoming established in the workplace.

[ClaireSolt]

When 15,000 people show up for American Idol tryouts, you know that their self images are out of whack.

[The_Reader_David]

As I am fond of pointing out, self-esteem is a vice. Indeed, it is numbered among the ‘eight grevious vices’ by St. John Cassian (the other seven are familiar to Western Christians as ‘the seven deadly sins’).

[gridlock]

What we really need are books on how to deal with these kids now that they’re becoming established in the workplace.

Fire them when they don't work out.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Self-esteem is an entitlement.

The author is confusing self-esteem with ego. This is a null article.

[Drawsing]

Aaaahhh...the refreshing cool breeze of common sense!

[Tax-chick]

“Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourself.”

C.S. Lewis, in “Screwtape Proposes a Toast,” identified self-esteem, “I’m as good as anyone else!” as a tool of the devil.

[crazyhorse691]

One popular method tells teachers not to correct students’ spelling or grammar, arguing that kids should be ‘independent spellers’ so they can be treated as ‘individuals.’”

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I about tore my hair out trying to understand some of the papers that these self esteemed individuals had ritin.

[MarkL]

What these idiots don't realize is that both self respect AND self esteem need to be earned. Self esteem is "being proud of yourself." The question "why should I be proud of myself" needs to be asked... When it's not earned, it's not only worthless, it can lead to serious problems with the individual, as we've been seeing for quite some time.

Mark

[caver]

“people with high self-esteem tend to be unwilling to take responsibility for their own failures and bad behavior.”

This is the meat of the article. The spoiled little brats in school today are shining examples of this. It’s always somebody elses fault.

[nina0113]

What we really need are books on how to deal with these kids now that they’re becoming established in the workplace.

My plan is early retirement.

[Mr. Jeeves]

What these idiots don't realize is that both self respect AND self esteem need to be earned.

That's why the article is off base. Self-esteem is earned - using the term to mean the "fluff up the ego movement" popular in schools and government hiring in recent decades is a gross inaccuracy.

[Zeon Cowboy]

They must have screwed up, I don’t have very good self-esteem. My grammar is also not well, either!

[Dudoight]

“When 15,000 people show up for American Idol tryouts, you know that their self images are out of whack.”

Absolutely BRILLIANT observation! LOL!

[MarDav]

As a teacher, what I find going on is a vast effort to “give” children esteem/positive self image. These can’t be given, they must be developed. They are not developed by repeating over and over that Johnny is a good boy (or displaying those “My child is a Terrific Kid” bumper stickers.) True esteem comes from the individual setting and achieving real/noble goals.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Indeed, it is numbered among the ‘eight grevious vices’ by St. John Cassian (the other seven are familiar to Western Christians as ‘the seven deadly sins’).

Probably the worst one, because it leads directly to the sinner finding something better to do with his money than tithing it to pretentious, lecturing churchmen. ;)

[MarDav]

“What these idiots don’t realize is that both self respect AND self esteem need to be earned...”

You beat me.

[Beckwith]

When 15,000 people show up for American Idol tryouts, you know that their self images are out of whack.

And, the least talented of them get angry at the judges.

[Thrownatbirth]

In drug and alcohol rehab, the counselors push to instill and establish "self-esteem" in their patients.

Man, that was last the last thing some of us needed. :-)