Signs of Low Self-Esteem
- Your child avoids a task or challenge without even trying. This often signals a fear of failure or s sense of helplessness.
- He quits soon after beginning a game or a task, giving up at the first sign of frustration.
- He cheats or lies when he believes he’s going to lose a game or do poorly.
- He shows signs of regression, acting baby like or very silly. These types of behavior invite teasing and name calling from other youngsters, adding insult to injury.
- He becomes controlling, bossy, or inflexible as ways of hiding feelings of inadequacy, frustration, or powerlessness.
- He makes excuses like “the teacher is dumb” or downplays the importance of events like “ I don’t really like that game anyway”. Using this kind of rationalizing to place blame on others or external forces.
- His grades in school have declined, or he has lost interest in usual activities.
- He withdraws socially, losing or having less contact with friends.
- He experiences changing moods, exhibiting sadness, crying, any outbursts, frustration, or quietness.
- He makes self-critical comments such as “I never do anything right,” “Nobody likes me,” “ I’m ugly,” “It is my fault,” or “Everyone is smarter than I am.”
- He has difficulty accepting either praise or criticism.
- He becomes very concerned or sensitive about other people’s opinions of him.
- He seems to b e strongly affected by negative peer influence, adopting attitudes and behaviors like a disdain for school, cutting classes acting disrespectfully, shoplifting, or experimenting with tobacco, alcohol, or drugs.
- He is either overly helpful or never helpful at home.
Posted by Ken Sapp on July 29, 2006 08:31 AM | Link
Category: Youth Ministry
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Keywords: identity, self-esteem, self-confidence
