Almost everyone can identify when they're on top of the world, enjoying the benefits of high self-esteem. However, experts have theorised that high self esteem can also act as a cushion for those times when life lets us down. Rejections, disappointments and failure are a part of daily life. But high esteem can assist a person in 'weathering the storm' and helping us get through life's downturns. The early years are particularly important in establishing an 'authentic and abiding self-esteem' in a person.
School climate plays an important role in the development of the self-esteem of students.
Persons who hold themselves in high esteem are less likely to engage in destructive and self-destructive behaviour including child abuse, alcohol and drugs abuse, violence and crime. Young girls who possess positive self-esteem are less likely to become pregnant as teenagers. High self-esteem can never be given to a person by another person or society. It must be sought, 'earned' by the individual for him or herself. These traits are characteristic of persons with high self-esteem, of those who are confident of their abilities and gain pleasure from acting on them.