Self-Esteem

Have you ever heard of self-esteem? What do you think it entails? Is it positive or negative, overall? In the argumentative essay The Trouble with Self-Esteem, by Lauren Slater, a negative view on self-esteem is portrayed. Slater begins by asking a few questions and getting into the definition of self-esteem. The provided definition is that self-esteem is mostly just a love for oneself. As it seems, there is nothing wrong with that. If a person hates themselves, they would probably have a fairly miserable existence. Slater makes all sorts of other claims, probably the most important of which concern how high self-esteem may be a culprit of personal problems and how it is not proven that low self-esteem can be harmful to a person.
Slater claims that high self-esteem may be a culprit of personal and social problems. Today’s culture sees self-esteem as the core of one’s being. It is what makes each person different, and it can give one a sense of security. Slater brings such charges against it though, of which include an analysis of a murderer and a statement on how pride may be dangerous. At one point, Slater describes that in an interrogation with a murderer, it was found that they had really high self-esteem. They seemed very sure that their actions were true and just, and that it was for everyone else’s personal gain. Also, it is said that pride is something that all people of high self-esteem have in abundance, and poses a large threat to everyone around them. Egotistical people tend to have little tolerance for negative opinions about themselves even if honest, and will lash out at those who do such. While this may in essence seem true, Slater seems to have a tendency to over-exaggerate. In the example of the murderer, their views have been conveyed as overwhelmingly positive because they did not want others to see the truth that on the inside, they knew that they were wrong in their actions. Also, there was no real connection made between high self-esteem and the heinous act of murder, since there was no real love for the murderer’s self present. If they loved themselves, they would not have chosen to be in their situation. Also, pride may be negative only if carried too far. Everyone has a sense of pride in them, it just depends on if they choose to flaunt it more than others. With a little self-control, anyone could express pride without hurting anyone else, since they would be more cautious of those around them.
Slater also describes that low self-esteem is not proven to be dangerous. In a sense, that is true. Yet, it is not a good way for a person to mold their character. Slater claims that those of low self-esteem have no real disadvantages against those of high self-esteem. It is also stated that they may be more likely to succeed, since those of low self-regard will often times work harder to get past their misgivings. As logical as that may seem, there are faults in such a statement, however. Low self-esteem is concerned with little respect for oneself. Yet, would not a person with little self respect be more inclined to make poor decisions for them? People prefer to feel positively about themselves, and if all a person acknowledges about themselves are negative aspects, they would probably tend to second-guess themselves, and may make poor personal decisions. When they wish to feel well about themselves, such people may resort to drugs and alcohol to create a false glimmer of self-assurance for themselves.
Self-esteem is what gives a person a sense of self-worth. If a person feels well about themselves, they are less likely to abuse themselves or others, providing that they contain their feelings of pride and remain open to interpretation by others. Self-esteem is what molds character, if a person can associate well with themselves and others, they could be better off since others will be supportive of their own personal choices. Those with low self-esteem seem to fade away from the bigger picture of society, and in today’s society, a looming presence may be advantageous. If people can see you and all the good that you do, others will be more likely to remember your example, follow it, and even suggest your tactics to others. Slater made logical statements on the disadvantages of high self-esteem, but they were lacking in backup. She was usually stating mere theories, with no solid evidence provided. Conclusively, that is why a person may need to depend of high self-esteem to survive in today’s society.