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The Causes of Low Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is simply how you feel about yourself and how you judge your worth. This evaluation has a profound impact on the choices you make since it determines, to a great extent, what you consider yourself capable and worthy of doing. If we value ourselves and, therefore, our time, we’ll do things that are meaningful, which in turn makes us more valuable to ourselves (as well as the world around us). Without a proper amount of self-valuing, we don’t pursue meaningful activities. Instead, we get stuck in a cycle of de-valuing ourselves and not doing anything meaningful to boost our sense of self-worth.
People with low self-esteem — who feel poorly about themselves and judge themselves to be inferior to others — are at risk, then, of not fulfilling their true potential in life. They may not take the initiative to set and pursue personal goals; they may not put any effort into their education or careers; they may accept poor treatment from family, friends and romantic partners. Teen girls with low self-esteem are four times more likely to participate in activities with boys that they later regret. Low self esteem is linked to many behaviors;
- Poor academic performance
- Teen pregnancy
- Dropping out of school
- Earlier sexual activity
- Criminal behavior
