2.19.2005

reality bites

Yep, life'll burst that self-esteem bubble: "Self-esteem became a buzzword more than 20 years ago, fueled by parenting experts, psychologists and educators. Believers suggested that students who hold themselves in high regard are happier and will succeed.

That culture was so ingrained in parents that protecting their children from failure became a credo. This feel-good movement was most evident in California, which created a task force to increase self-esteem."

1 comment:

Bill S. said...

Not having any, I've always been naturally suspicious of the concept of "self-esteem". And parents who seem to place their child's self-esteem over everything else -- honesty, integrity, courtesy, much less reality -- provoke a certain bitter nausea that is not terribly pleasant.

I prefer confidence to self-esteem.

What did the task-force to increase self-esteem do?