Dream Pathways Foundation
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!
  • Home
  • Services
    • Child Intake Form
    • Coaching Sessions
    • Children's Book Tour
  • Research
    • Journal >
      • Human Development Across Lifespan
      • African American Psychopathology >
        • Psychopathology in Children
        • Psychopathology in Adults
        • Treatment Options
  • Magazine
    • DPM Archives
    • Article Submission Form
    • Mental Health Matters
    • Community Health & Awarness
    • Family & Relationships
    • Saving & Investing in Our Youth
    • Dream Pathways Magazine Writers >
      • Writer of the Month
      • Writers' Free Book Bank
  • About Us
    • FreeSchoolSupplies
    • Christmas Giveway for Kids RSVP
    • About the Founder
    • Projects in Development >
      • Dream Pathways Behavioral Health Institute >
        • DP Behavioral Health Survey
        • Foster HOPE Today >
          • Share My Story Form
  • Helpful Resources
    • Community Resources LA
    • The Small Business Corner
    • Resource Library
  • GIVE BACK
    • Donate Kids Books
    • Join Our Online Community
  • Contact
    • Web Store

Embodied on the Inside Reflecting on the Outside

7/30/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
Date: 7/22/2012   
Writer’s Name: S.F. Hardy       
Title: Embodied on the Inside Reflecting on the Outside


Self-esteem is an intangible element of one’s self embodied on the inside reflecting on the outside. Simply put, self-esteem is ones value for self. Dictionary.com defines self-esteem as: “A realistic respect for or favorable impression of oneself.” Everyone possesses self-esteem whether it is high or low; although internal in nature, it is shaped by external influences that vary from one individual to another. Value of self will aide in the establishment of one’s path, dictating ones tolerance and outlook on life. A balanced self-esteem is warranted as too much esteem as well as very little, can both be destructive.   

The increasing number of suicides committed by young children should serve as a reminder to the importance of self-esteem building in the national community. Just as self-esteem is molded by external influences it is also torn down by such. Family, media, educational systems, and interaction with other children all shape children’s value of oneself.

“Go sit down fast tail girl,” Ms. Fisher yelled with a contorted face. The memory of my first grade performing arts teacher remains with me today. She almost broke my spirit, except I was surrounded by loved ones who had very positive offerings to offset Ms. Fisher’s negative ambivalence. I must admit, I was a very precocious young girl, but not without reason beyond my control. One, I was the youngest grandchild next to my brother, which meant I was always around adults, spending very little time with other children my age. But most significantly, at that time, I was being sexually molested by my maternal uncle causing me to act out in ways that was not becoming for a young lady.  Like Ms. Fisher, no one was aware what I was faced with at home, however, being an adult in a position to motivate and inspire, it would have been ideal for Ms. Fisher to attempt to determine the reasoning behind my behavior rather than break me down.

Rather than internalize Ms. Fisher’s negative underpinning, I learned indirectly how not to treat others. The summer of 2010 I had the great opportunity to student teach. As you can imagine, there were dozens of budding personalities in attendance, all special and unique. There was one young girl who stood out and it was not because she was pleasant. In fact, she was the exact opposite. While other staff whispered about the girl and her home life, I took it upon myself to develop a relationship with her. In doing so, I realized why she behaved the way she did. Although I didn’t condone it, I put myself in a position to help her change her behavior and attitude by talking with her and demonstrating behaviors different from what she was accustomed to. By the time summer school was over, the once unpleasant little girl had bloomed into a very personable young lady.


Although the building of self-esteem should begin at home it’s not realistic in this day and age to expect that it will in all cases. With more broken homes and less emphasis placed on family, media and the likes of music and music videos are replacing the human element of self-esteem building. With this, children, young girls in particular are taking what they see in videos from the images portrayed by the people in the videos as reality. When this reality cannot be met, the viewer’s self-esteem is affected negatively, ultimately leading to unhealthy self-destructive choices and behaviors. Misled children eventually become unguided adults who perpetuate unrealistic ideologies that affect the African-American community as a whole.

Programs underscoring the importance and development of self-esteem must be reinstated in schools. I remember the I Like Me contest, where children would draw pictures on how they perceived themselves. The illustrations were displayed in various public building throughout the city for all to view and learn from. This program was invaluable to the health and  self-esteem for inner city youth.


"If you empower women, you can change the world…” said Meg Ryan. Because women are natural born leaders, I believe it will take unity among us to build healthy well balanced self-esteem amongst girls and women in the African-American community. There are exercises, classes, web-sites and books that exist to aid in the development of self-esteem. First a common understanding must be realized in the weight self-esteem carries and then we have to all get involved in building the self-esteem of the youth and reversing unhealthy self-esteem of adults.

Each of us has a responsibility to endorse positive self-esteem if we are to see young women in our communities flourish to their full potential. Detroit authors, Sandra Epps author of Girl Power Discover the Princess Within and S.F. Hardy author of The Empress’ New Hair are making great strides to promote self-acceptance and self-esteem within their community.


Resources for developing positive self-esteem

http://sandyslandtips.blogspot.com/2012/01/8-girl-power-tips.html

http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/talk/self_esteem.html

http://www.doorway-to-self-esteem.com/self-esteem-affirmations.html

http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/10-ways-to-instantly-build-self-confidence/

http://www.sandysland.com/


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Daily Quote

    There's nothing more attractive than seeing a man with his pants pulled up; because if he can handle his pants, he can handle his business.

    Archives

    July 2018
    January 2018
    July 2017
    June 2017
    March 2017
    November 2016
    September 2016
    October 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2014
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    October 2011
    September 2011
    July 2011

    Categories

    All
    American Dreamer
    Because I Got High
    Discovering Authors Across America
    Dp News
    Dream Pathways
    Feed The Hungry
    For Better Or Worse
    Foster Hope Success Stories
    Founder
    Give List
    Health Matters
    Icare About The Homeless
    Jewels Of Confidence
    Keeping Family First
    Keys 2 Freedom
    Man Up
    Mission
    My Dream
    My Willpower
    Need To Read
    Neffe Book Signing
    Politics Matters
    Random Matters
    Single Mothers
    Speak Life
    Stand Your Ground
    The Suicide Project
    The Work Of My Homeless Hands
    Train Up A Child
    We Foster Hope
    Young Entrepreneurs

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.