Until I stopped to think about it, self-esteem didn't seem that important. I never thought about what having a low self-esteem could do to someone until someone pointed out that young females are more likely to smoke because of lower self-esteems.
Why do young females feel so bad about themselves? What is it about us that makes every action seem not good enough? Why is the way we look not good enough? Why do we struggle so hard to fit in, only to end up back where we started, struggling all over again?
It's silly really. Role models affect us more. Pictures on the internet make more of an impression. We're more easily persuaded to buy products by advertisements and don't even get me started on not eating properly. In a world where everyone else seems to have figured out that happiness comes from being happy with yourself, why do so many young females struggle to love themselves?
2 comments:
I think the answer lies within those young women who DO feel good about themselves. Who are they and what do they feel as they go through their day? Are they the prettiest? Best body? Smartest? Most popular?
I bet you will find they are not. I bet they are all over the map when it comes to those things.
I think you might find they mostly just realize they aren't doing anything morally bad by being who they are. They don't have to apologize or hide or explain or defend themselves. They aren't doing anything wrong so whose business is it how they act ,what they wear, etc. but their own?
If they do feel that, then they can look at a magazine or a pic on the internet and say the like or don't like this or that piece of clothing, or figure, or makeup. but they don't feel morally inferior to that image. There isn't self-judgment attached to their constant interacting with the world.
The Napkin Dad is very perceptive about young girls/women! Being satisfied with who you are starts very early in life and depends upon how you take what your mum & dad say to you. If you find you're not getting the feedback you need (the parentals may be giving you what THEY think is great feedback & encouragement) but it just doesn't 'click' with you...THEN you look to specifics to measure up to. That's where all this comparison of appearance, weight, shape, hairstyle/colour, the 'latest' comes from- YOU pick it out and decide it could be important in securing the right feedback. Advertisements never SAY "You must dye your hair this shade of blonde or everyone will think you're uncool". YOU say that to yourself. You kid yourself this or that appearance-thing will make you look good. Then by a leap of pure child-like logic, you equate look good with BE good & feel good. If only we could take over the responsibility for making ourselves feel like good human beings, we'd have a lot more headspace to enjoy life. You're amazing for where you have got to in life with the difficulties you've already faced and are still struggling with. Give yourself a mental medal!
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