What does it truly mean to have self-esteem nowadays?
According to NBC News, 85% of the population struggles from low self-esteem. However
controversially, today's generation is often nitpicked for being one of the most self-obsessed and
conceited.
So what is self-esteem? Self-esteem can simply be defined by Merriam-Webster as “1.a confidence and satisfaction in oneself.'' Being defined in a total of six words it is still hard to understand what self-esteem truly is, and why a large percentage of the population struggles from carrying low amounts of it.
Everyone carries different ideas of success and satisfaction thus everyone's personal definition of self-esteem is different, however, the basic idea is acceptance. As before social-media, the basic idea was more-so one being able to accept themselves, it is now in an age of social media a feeling built on wanting to matter not only to yourself but to the public. Jameela Jamil, an activist, and actress explained in her speech during “we day” that social media has become a marketplace curated to pry on those struggling with low self-esteem and those, in general, to say whatever needs to be said through influencers and celebrities, for a product to be sold. To companies, one’s self-esteem is seen as a tool that can be used for sales and success.
Social media also helps keep the general public in touch with others. However, the common phenomenon of “FOMO” or feeling of missing out is often felt through these posts as well as comparing ourselves success and position in life to others, both lowering one's self-esteem. “FOMO” makes one feel left out of a situation and thus not accepted by others, leading to them feeling less accepted by themselves. On Instagram and Twitter and other platforms post after post are published displaying a reality that at times may be false but can still cause one to examine their own success. For example pictures of expensive cars, jewelry, and money often are seen and cause one to compare their lifestyle to that of others, oftentimes leaving a negative effect on their self-esteem.
Self-esteem, more so one having low self-esteem may be seen as negative can also have positive effects to a certain extent, as at times it acts as a motivator. As for brands and companies it is used to motivate us to buy products or services but for oneself it can cause us to work harder to achieve certain goals and gain that acceptance thus hiring our self-esteem, however that is to an extent as it may push one to achieve these goals in a toxic manner and be unhappy with themselves. The obsession of social-media can be seen formed basing off this often causing the negative connotation of our generation being vain, however, it is actually quite the opposite as seen in statistics such as the one stated previously from NBC News.
The struggle of low self-esteem has always occurred in human society as it is in our nature to compare however recently with the addition of social media it has become notably more occurrent and caused the opinion, value, and acceptance of others to matter to the same extent of our own.
Sources :
So what is self-esteem? Self-esteem can simply be defined by Merriam-Webster as “1.a confidence and satisfaction in oneself.'' Being defined in a total of six words it is still hard to understand what self-esteem truly is, and why a large percentage of the population struggles from carrying low amounts of it.
Everyone carries different ideas of success and satisfaction thus everyone's personal definition of self-esteem is different, however, the basic idea is acceptance. As before social-media, the basic idea was more-so one being able to accept themselves, it is now in an age of social media a feeling built on wanting to matter not only to yourself but to the public. Jameela Jamil, an activist, and actress explained in her speech during “we day” that social media has become a marketplace curated to pry on those struggling with low self-esteem and those, in general, to say whatever needs to be said through influencers and celebrities, for a product to be sold. To companies, one’s self-esteem is seen as a tool that can be used for sales and success.
Social media also helps keep the general public in touch with others. However, the common phenomenon of “FOMO” or feeling of missing out is often felt through these posts as well as comparing ourselves success and position in life to others, both lowering one's self-esteem. “FOMO” makes one feel left out of a situation and thus not accepted by others, leading to them feeling less accepted by themselves. On Instagram and Twitter and other platforms post after post are published displaying a reality that at times may be false but can still cause one to examine their own success. For example pictures of expensive cars, jewelry, and money often are seen and cause one to compare their lifestyle to that of others, oftentimes leaving a negative effect on their self-esteem.
Self-esteem, more so one having low self-esteem may be seen as negative can also have positive effects to a certain extent, as at times it acts as a motivator. As for brands and companies it is used to motivate us to buy products or services but for oneself it can cause us to work harder to achieve certain goals and gain that acceptance thus hiring our self-esteem, however that is to an extent as it may push one to achieve these goals in a toxic manner and be unhappy with themselves. The obsession of social-media can be seen formed basing off this often causing the negative connotation of our generation being vain, however, it is actually quite the opposite as seen in statistics such as the one stated previously from NBC News.
The struggle of low self-esteem has always occurred in human society as it is in our nature to compare however recently with the addition of social media it has become notably more occurrent and caused the opinion, value, and acceptance of others to matter to the same extent of our own.
Sources :
-
Alton, Larry. “Why Low Self-Esteem May Be Hurting You at Work.” NBCNews.com ,
NBCUniversal News Group, 13 Apr. 2018,
www.nbcnews.com/better/business/why-low-self-esteem-may-be-hurting-your-career-nc
na814156.
-
Awosika, Loretta Osakwe. “Social Media Hurts Our Mental Health - Here's How To
Change It.” Thrive Global , 25 Sept. 2019,
thriveglobal.com/stories/social-media-hurts-our-mental-health-heres-how-to-change-it/.
-
ConnieBennettFans. “Are You Among the 85 % of People With Low Self-Esteem? It Can
Lead to Weight Gain & More.” Connie Bennett, The Rebound-After-Relapse NinjaTM , 20
May 2010,
connieb.com/are-you-among-the-85-of-people-with-low-self-esteem-it-can-lead-to-weight
-gain-more/.
-
“Jameela Jamil on How Social Media Preys on People with Low Self-Esteem.” WFSB ,
26 Sept. 2019,
www.wfsb.com/jameela-jamil-on-how-social-media-preys-on-people-with/video_a9b7e4d
c-e0b0-5266-8446-3cb856294560.html.
-
“Self-Esteem.” Merriam-Webster , Merriam-Webster,
www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-esteem.
-
Wallace, Robert. “What Is Self-Esteem?” The Brunswick News , 28 Sept. 2019,
thebrunswicknews.com/opinion/advice_columns/what-is-self-esteem/article_a81859d9-6 b03-5336-8ea0-297c89d7cc30.html.
This piece shows how people can contradict themselves with their feelings and actions, even if it isn't intentional.-Katryna Kerth
ReplyDeleteThe piece really shows the affect social media can have on other people's self-esteem, and I never thought how much FOMO could affect peoples character. - Shrey
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the varying perspective that self-esteem "can also have positive effects to a certain extent, as at times it acts as a motivator". It allowed me to reflect on examples where this can be effective, especially on social media.
ReplyDelete- Kezia Mambo
I find an idea you highlighted interesting. People post these flashy things on social media and it causes a ripple effect. People see it and want to be like the person they're seeing. Most people start to show off what they have just to prove they are what they see in other people's pictures. It causes almost a distortion of one's own being and self righteousness. Growing up in such a toxic environment has effects beyond what people care to acknowledge and I think your piece highlighted that idea beautifully. It also emphasized the irony of people believing this generation is the most conceited, when in reality, we are the ones that think of ourselves as so much less than what we are. -Nikki Cisneros
ReplyDeleteThis piece is very informative & effective in how you proved that self-esteem can truly control one's life. The tie to social media makes me question if the exposure to riches and the "perfect" people is healthy for us. You wrote a very effective piece that leaves the reader to contemplate their own self-esteem and what may be affecting it. I agree with your stance in this piece completely, great job.
ReplyDeleteI admire how you bring the social media issue of how society is becoming too obsessed with social media platforms, behind your overall goal of defining self-esteem. I also enjoy that you point out how many people are actually contradicting their statements of how they're feeling with their actions after. My favorite point of yours is how you link self-acceptance to self-esteem because not many people seem to know the connection between the two. Great job! - Melanie Viernes
ReplyDeleteI like how you explained both the negative and positive effects of social media on self-esteem, which only proves your credibility as a writer because you're not showing any signs of bias. I also totally agree on your point regarding the impact of social media on our self-esteem as I've witnessed this happen in real life occurrences. Overall, I think you've made a great choice to discussing about self-esteem as it's more prevalent in our generation than any others so it's nice to see people like you to bring awareness to it. -Timothy Heard
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the piece as it told of the paradox of the high school teen and self esteem as told through the perspective of a high teen. - Kahea DePonte
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed learning about self-esteem and the value of self-esteem through FOMO. I think it's very important to understand other view points of self-esteem for a clear deep understanding and you captured that with your piece. Thank you for the education.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the point you made about teens and society as a whole and how social media is such a big factor in peoples lives that it affects our own self-esteem. It is completely true the fact that everyone wants to be seen on social media and it doesn't matter what we think as long as the media likes. I really enjoyed your essay and it was very well written. -Johanna Medina
ReplyDeleteAn interesting commentary on the dual nature of the conceited youth AND the self-conscious youth
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your piece as a whole, I found it very ironic that 85% of people suffer with self-esteem issues but most people are seen as the opposite. Especially in today's society, people hide their low self-esteem in social media and a facade of confidence that makes the outside world view us as "considered" but in reality we as people are in internal turmoil.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you tie in social media and how it plays a big factor in the self esteem of teens nowadays
ReplyDeleteI like how you related it to high school, as that's probably the main place that we end up having low self esteem instead of feeling good about ourselves. We as humans get judged for having to much self esteem as me being confident, people see as being cocky or others see it as something that's good , like in relationships you like someone who is confident and knows what they want towards life. Really interesting piece -Trinity
ReplyDeleteEverything is professionally well put with also including critical vocabulary that easily contributes to the rest of the passage while also maintaining a smooth format of simply mentioning everything we need to know about self esteem and where it comes from, what it is, and how we handle it.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this piece I learned both the negative and positive values of self esteem. I found this piece to be very informational as it spoke of how self esteem affects a person. The examples you used were also great such as social media, and the effect it has on our mindset. -Moises Reyes
ReplyDeleteYour piece of work is truly amazing. I love how you mentioned the positive and negatives effects about self esteem. This piece of work is so relatable and educational especially for this generation. A lot of times people would post and flaunt their expensive lifestyles but behind closed door they are struggling with themselves. ~Alec Bailey
ReplyDelete