That Demon Self-Esteem
A favorite whipping-boy of Rojas’, here’s another post about the decoupling of self-esteem and achievement, an American problem that’s particularly prevalent in education.
Self-esteem has gone up in the United States; achievement has not. If anything, compared with other countries, we have done worse, but our kids feel really good about themselves on average. What seems particularly interesting, and there is an article by J. P. Tangney on this, is that there is an uncoupling between your perception of your own competence and how much you like yourself. Many American kids, particularly in the last couple of decades, can feel really good about themselves without actually being good at anything. This is the problem with the “self-esteem at all costs” message. Self-esteem should be earned.
I think part of the problem may have been the conflation of self-esteem with personal dignity. I don’t see a problem with a person who is basically ethical having a sense of personal dignity, and feeling that they have some inherent worth as a person. Sort of a baseline level of self-value which any non-monstrous human being should be able to claim.
I don’t think that’s what this culture of “poor self esteem is the source of all our problems” has been working with, though. Telling people that–regardless of their work ethic, achievement, goals, and behavior–they are all great people (especially “we’re all equally wonderful” or such) is a problem.
In the first case, you’re saying “I have some basic rights and dignity by virtue of being a human being. The President, Nobel laureates, and other famous/wise/whatever folks do not possess inherent dignity and rights greater than mine”. I agree with that.
The second case, though, goes further and says “I am just as worthy of recognition and praise as the President, Nobel laureates, and other famous/wise/accomplished people, regardless of what I have accomplished”. That’s bull pucky.
Comment by Talarohk — 7/9/2009 @ 7:07 pm