Self-Esteem -- EDPR 7/8112 Adolescence Sec. 001 0500-0800 R

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Date Posted: 16:14:26 02/07/07 Wed
Author: Jeff Osborne (Jeffrey Osborne)
Subject: Self-Esteem

In reading chapter five I was struck by the fact that low self esteem and school success were only moderately correlated. I do agree that many adolescents have very high self esteem and perform poorly in the classroom. However, in my opinion as an 8th grade science teacher, through my interactions with students, family, and the urban school system, I am under the impression that low self esteem can have negative implications on academics.

I do not feel however that low self esteem is the root cause for low levels of academic success. I believe that the factors that led to a child's low self esteem may contribute. For example, consider an adolescent that may be a decent B/C student with minimal behavioral problems. Now add in the fact that his parents (assuming he lives with both) have jobs that keep them from ever spending quality time with their child on a regular basis and when they are together the adolescent has four more siblings that comepte for the affection and attention. Also, the adolescent is in a rough school where fights are commonplace, disrespect to adults and one another is "cool," and the expectatios of children to succeed in both school and life are kept at a minimum. These factors contribute to low self-esteem in the adolescent who then may become antisocial and/or disobedient, in turn losing interest in school.

It's interesting to see how all of these factors are associated, but it seems true. The adolescents in the your classroom may not be performing well because they have no expectations to do so. They don't even have someone at home to ask them how there day went (which is something most of us take for granted).

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Replies:

[> Re: Self-Esteem -- Lauren McAdams, 19:37:17 02/07/07 Wed

I agree with your analysis of this chapter and situations that face many students these days. I thought that the example given was interesting and very commonplace in this urban type of enviornment. I am not yet a teacher, I in studying education and even with the little teaching experience that I already have, it is obvious that peer pressure is hard on children nowadays and without a strong family life, low self-esteem is bound to happen and in turn reflect poorly on grades in the classroom. Because of this low self-esteem, kids also are more likely to turn to drugs, sex or whatever else can take the place of this lonliness they feel. In chapter 5 it talks about how adolescence today have so much more than in generations before, but the risk of teenage pregnancy and illegal drug use is much higher in today's society as well. Low self-esteem seems to happen more on the adolescent level than any other and it is truely sad that children do not know how to reach out for the positives in their lives to overcome these internal problems and rather reach for negative influences. As far as parents involvement, who is it up to to try to get these parents involved in kids lives if they themselves will not do it?

>In reading chapter five I was struck by the fact that
>low self esteem and school success were only
>moderately correlated. I do agree that many
>adolescents have very high self esteem and perform
>poorly in the classroom. However, in my opinion as an
>8th grade science teacher, through my interactions
>with students, family, and the urban school system, I
>am under the impression that low self esteem can have
>negative implications on academics.
>
>I do not feel however that low self esteem is the root
>cause for low levels of academic success. I believe
>that the factors that led to a child's low self esteem
>may contribute. For example, consider an adolescent
>that may be a decent B/C student with minimal
>behavioral problems. Now add in the fact that his
>parents (assuming he lives with both) have jobs that
>keep them from ever spending quality time with their
>child on a regular basis and when they are together
>the adolescent has four more siblings that comepte for
>the affection and attention. Also, the adolescent is
>in a rough school where fights are commonplace,
>disrespect to adults and one another is "cool," and
>the expectatios of children to succeed in both school
>and life are kept at a minimum. These factors
>contribute to low self-esteem in the adolescent who
>then may become antisocial and/or disobedient, in turn
>losing interest in school.
>
>It's interesting to see how all of these factors are
>associated, but it seems true. The adolescents in the
>your classroom may not be performing well because they
>have no expectations to do so. They don't even have
>someone at home to ask them how there day went (which
>is something most of us take for granted).

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[> Re: Self-Esteem -- LaShundra Richmond, 20:07:21 02/07/07 Wed

I personally disagree with the fact that self esteem is not closely related with academic success. I actually relate low self esteem to a lot of mishaps within a child's life span. I can see a child building confidence when they are achieving and succeeding. I can also see children not reaching heights due to personal insecurities, etc. I do believe there are several factors that contribute to a child's self esteem and self concept. Parents play a role in assiting children building a soliod self-concept of themselves and also growing up to love themselves, build character and possess an overall positive view of themselves. Personally speaking, as a child, I grew up in a safe environment. When I say safe, that's in more than the physical sense. I was raised by two accomplished parents and was taught how to believe in and think highly of myself.
During my elementary years, I made me feel better as a person to make all A's, or win some type of award. I started off on the track of succeeding and was used to doing great things. However, things do happen such as bad days....which can throw a blow to anyone's self esteem. That's why I feel it is important to children at a young age, to be taught about the importance of self and know that these things such as self esteem and a positive self concept will be vital elements to success in life.

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