Adolescence is simply the stage between childhood and adulthood. It is at this stage that individuals gain the ability to make decisions. Before getting to adulthood, adolescents can make the right decisions through their experiences and other people around them.
Self-esteem plays a vital role in the life of adolescents. Positive self-esteem is critical as it allows them to attempt new things, face concrete challenges, and tackle issues. In turn, their learning and improvement will be gainful and set them up for a sound and positive future. In addition, self-assurance empowers adolescents to deal with misfortunes efficiently.
Rather than being weakened by disappointment, tough kids get up rapidly, gain from their errors, and attempt once more. They acknowledge that failure is a part of life and take more risks, making them considerably more successful in the future.
Adolescents have varying levels of confidence, which gives off an impression of being affected by such factors as gender, identity, and social class.
One of the numerous reasons for low confidence may include unhappy youth where guardians (or other enormous individuals, for example, teachers and instructors) were very harsh. In addition, poor academic performance in school may bring about an absence of self-confidence.
“Nothing ruins confidence like encircling yourself with individuals who misuse or disregard you,” says Karen R. Possibly they put them down, go about as though they have no needs, or they talk about themselves and care less about the child’s life.
Regardless, their bad behavior towards the child can influence their confidence.
Factors Affecting Self Esteem In Adolescence – Causes Of Low Self-Esteem
A few reasons for low self-esteem in adolescents are;
1. Bullying or loneliness
When a child is being bullied, they think that it is their fault. They begin to have several thoughts and then conclude that they are less critical than others or complete failure. They then start to think that nothing they do is ever good enough, thereby losing their self-confidence.
2. Poor academic performance
When a child is not so brilliant, maybe due to a particular condition, they accept that they are not as smart as the other kids. This then leads the child to believe nothing they ever do will be right, so the child stops attempting tasks and becomes more headstrong to cover up that fact.
3. Trauma or abuse
A child going through a particular trauma or abuse may make them feel worthless. They then begin to blame themselves for their condition rather than acknowledging that the fault is actually from the parent or other people around them. They then start to hate themselves and believe that the fault is actually from them.
Symptoms of Low Self-Esteem in Adolescents
1. If the kid keeps away from an assignment or challenges easily
Kids with low self-esteem tend to avoid participation in activities with their peers due to their lack of self-confidence. They believe that they will fail if they attempt a specific task. They then avoid joining in activities or even doing simple tasks such as their assignments.
2. He gives up not long after starting a game or an undertaking, surrendering whenever there’s any hint of frustration
A child with low self-esteem will give up after a slight hint of frustration or disappointment. They will prefer to give up than accept failure and learn from the mistakes made. This usually makes them weak and instills in them the fear of taking risks.
3. He cheats or lies when he accepts he will lose a game or do poorly
When kids with low self-esteem realize that they will lose a game, they accept defeat and then decide to cheat or lie. For instance, In a game of cards, the child may hide a bad card or lie that they do not have something to attempt to win the game. This can damage the child’s self-esteem even further because he will believe that he cannot succeed without cheating.
Here Are Some Ways To Support Your Young Adult’s Confidence When It Is Low
1. Help them utilize positive words effectively
Helping them to understand complement and praises can help boost their self-esteem. Understanding that people genuinely believe in them can grow to believe and have faith in themselves. They can then think that they can do things with their strength and abilities.
2. Help them identify their skills and develop them
The development of skills is another way to fight against low self-esteem. It takes practice and faith in oneself to master a skill. Learning or developing a skill or talent has ups and downs, i.e., we can get something right today, but tomorrow, it’s like we don’t even remember doing it.
Understanding this fact can see that no one is perfect and that everyone makes mistakes, but the best thing is to try your best. So please encourage them to try new things and take risks. “For you will never know if you’re good at something unless you try.”
3. Help dispense with self-criticism and present self-compassion
Parents can help their kids extinguish their feelings of self-pity and lack of self-worth. Children understand that they can be just as good as anyone who walks the surface of the earth. They can only succeed in life when they acknowledge their abilities and do their best in every given task.
Help them see that there is no gain in self-pity and self-criticism and that the only way to do their best is to get rid of self their fear of failure.
4. Make them see their true worth
Kids should understand that no matter how anyone makes them feel, they are the only ones who can change who they are. Make them see that they have worth and can do anything they wish to believe in themselves.
Parents should help encourage their kids to have good thoughts and feelings about themselves. They should see that no one has the right to make them feel bad about themselves. Make them understand they cannot compare themselves to others to measure their self-worth.
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