It’s hard being a teenager. Getting started in the real world and discovering yourself can be a difficult and stressful process. All children go through this stage, where they fix most of their personality traits. In most cases, these traits are a result of their outer surroundings and have little to do with who they are in their core. These traits, which stem from low self-esteem in adolescence, can go on to shape some of the pivotal ways in which a child views himself in the future.
Various reasons can cause a child to develop low self-esteem during adolescence. Let’s dive into these causes and understand how we can help teens with low self-esteem.
What causes low self-esteem in adolescence?
The increasing pressure to be the perfect person, along with unstable physical environments, can become one of the main causes of low self-esteem in teens. The main causes of low self-esteem in adolescence include:
1. Chronic criticism and abuse.
Children who live in families marred by physical and mental abuse by caregivers are more likely to have self-esteem problems. In addition, constant criticism and comparison with other children can deepen such problems. Neglect, the death of a family member, and various adverse childhood experiences can be traumatic for children and affect their self-esteem.
2. Societal expectations and pressures.
Today’s teens are constantly exposed to the outside world through social media. Pressure to be the best they can be and keep up with the pace of the fast-paced world can contribute to low self-esteem. Feeling inadequate compared to others can cause children to regularly doubt themselves. Furthermore, hurtful messages, trolling, and bullying related to a person’s appearance, identity, or gender can shake a young person’s self-confidence.
Read more: Bullying Prevention Month – Creating an inclusive environment.
how can I help?
Helping teens develop self-esteem can be challenging. However, with the right help and guidance, their confidence can be encouraged. The process of getting there will be bumpy and bumpy. To help on your journey, here are the best ways to help teens deal with low self-esteem.
1. Help them accept failure.
Failure is always beating. It is an inevitable part of life, especially during the teen years when a person is constantly experiencing their life. Fear of failure can prevent children from making the most of the opportunities that come their way. Helping them accept failure will help them grow and boost their self-esteem.
Read more: 11 signs of low self-esteem
2. Think about your actions.
Parents and caregivers may want their children to have high self-esteem, but end up making fun of their child’s fat the next minute or starting to compare their scores to others.
We accept that no one is perfect, and that parenting can be challenging. So look at your actions. If family dynamics are not supportive, limit criticism. Consider how you talk to your children; If you feel that criticism is getting out of hand, consider family therapy.
conclusion:
Self-esteem problems in adolescence can stem from several issues — including negative childhood experiences such as abuse and the burden of social expectations. However, with proper care and guidance, teens can effectively deal with their problems.
If your child has been struggling with self-esteem for a long time, there may be deeper issues at play. The best way to handle the situation is to seek appropriate professional help. Online therapy brings trusted professional help to your living room. To learn about the most affordable online therapy platforms, click here.
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