Adolescent Self-Esteem

AuthorDobrescu, A.
PositionFaculty of Sociology and Communication, Transilvania University of Brasov
Pages139-144
Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov
Series VII: Social Sciences • Law • Vol. 6 (55) No. 2 - 2013
ADOLESCENT SELF-ESTEEM
Ada DOBRESCU1
Abstract: This article aims to highlight the taxonomy associated with self-
esteem and also to emphasize on a qualitative study, differences associated
with the concept for male and female adolescents regarding self esteem.
Through this article I want to see if the indicators such as - relationship with
parents, body perception, and academic achievements - influence self-esteem
at this age.
Key words: self-esteem, self-identity, self-image, self-concept, self-
confidence, self-respect, self-confusion, self-love, inferiority and superiority
complex.
1 Faculty of Sociology and Communication, Transilvania University of Brasov.
1. Introduction (conceptual boundaries)
The concept of self-esteem comprises a
plurality of associated concepts because
there is a multi-disciplinary approach in
sociology, psychology, social care, social
psychology (Harter apud Adams, 2009).
Rogers apud Mondrea (2006) sustains
that the concept itself is “our image about
what we are, what we want to be and what
we have to be (p.89).”
Another approach declares that there are
three images: how we see ourselves, how
others see us and how we wish others to
see us.
Chelcea (2006) explains that self-esteem
is the result of all positive and negative
assessments of people about themselves.
After Andre and Lelord (1999) the
components of self esteem are self love,
self concept and self confidence.
Self love originates in the quality and
consistency of emotional support provided
by parents. It has as benefits the emotional
stability and the resistance to criticism and
to rejection. As a consequence there may
be doubts about the ability to be
appreciated by others. The person has a
mediocre self-image, even if he has
professional and financial achievements.
Self concept is embedded in the
expectations, projects and projections of
the parents towards child. As benefits the
person has many ambitions and projects,
which withstand obstacles. As negative
consequences the person has: lack of
courage in his choices, conformism, and
dependence on others opinion, poor
perseverance in personal choices.
Self confidence involves learning the
rules of action: to dare, to persevere, to
accept failures that lead to benefits. As
consequences: it reduces the inhibition, the
hesitation, the lack of perseverance.
Self-esteem is formed by social
comparison (reporting permanent and
unconscious to significant person in our
life) and feed-back received from the
others regarding positive or negative
appreciations to our qualities and
performance. In social psychology the
researchers make a difference between self

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