I found direct definition to be really interesting. The way people define us and our behaviors
tells us who we are. Being labeled as a
young child can either damage or benefit our self esteem. Family, friends, teachers, peers etc. label
us and define who we are and who we are expected to be as individuals. These definitions can either be negative or
positive. If the definition is negative
it can significantly damage a child’s self-esteem. However, if it is a positive definition it
can boost a child’s self esteem. Not
only can definitions build self-esteem but it can also build values. If a child is praised at a young age for
doing a task the child learns what others value in them which leads to how they
value themselves. When I was younger I received
gold stars and a lot of praise for helping around the house and because of this
praise and recognition it boosted my self confidence.
Hi Bee Westlake,
ReplyDeleteI found that section of the book really interesting too! Growing up, I had a very emotionally abusing step parent in my life for many years. My brother and I were told on a daily basis how stupid and ugly we were and how we would never be anything in life. Overtime, it can be hard to keep those thoughts out of your head; you can’t help but start believing them.
As a young adult, I have slowly overcome many of those things that my step-parent said to me. I proved to myself that I was smart by putting myself through college. I can’t be that ugly as I did a short stint in modeling. I took all of those horrible things and turned them into personal challenges.
Looking back, I am not sure I would have pushed myself as hard as I have if I didn’t have to prove my worth. It’s hard to say but I do know one thing: I am way farther now in life than that person will ever be.
Sometimes it’s nice to reflect on how you came to find yourself and how far you have come in life.
Thank you very much for sharing!
Sea Star
Oh man, the direct definition excerpt is right on point compared to my life. I was taunted as a kid all the way up to about my freshman year in high school about the way that I talked and presented myself. I stood out compared to other African Americans. So many labels were thrown at me, I didn't know how to deal with it. But as I grew older and started maturing my sophomore year, I started to "directly" embrace who I was as a person and the labels that were placed on me. I realized that the way we are, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. It is hard at first because at a young age, you don't have much experience with the world so you don't know how to approach it, but time heals all. We all will go through it. I'm glad we can relate :) -Peace&Love
ReplyDeleteI also found the direct definition part in the text to be very interesting. When I was in middle school I was constantly put down by my first boyfriend and bullied by upperclassmen. I moved on from this, but to this day it’s really difficult for me to accept compliments and think highly of myself. However, my parents would always tell me that I was helpful because I would help to clean up around the house, even when I wasn’t asked to do so. I think that because this was positively reinforced during my childhood, it has become something that I value in myself. Like you, I think it also boosted my self-confidence a bit. Great blog post, take care!
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