Research has shown clearly that kids who suffer from low self esteem are much more at risk than other children. They tend to do drugs more often and earlier, engage in sex earlier and are more likely to be in trouble in school and with the law. My argument is not with the idea that our children are better off with a healthy view of self, rather it is how our schools and other social organizations are trying to teach that esteem. The fact is that self esteem cannot be taught. It does not work to sit students down and insist to them that they are worthwhile and that they matter.
Self esteem is far harder to achieve than that.
Instead of teaching self esteem in our schools, we, as parents who care deeply about our children's future, need to help them build their own self esteem. Self esteem in children is built rather simply, achievement. Wait a minute you say, I don't want to turn my daughter into some kind of high pressured basket case. I don't want to push her, I want her to enjoy her childhood. By achievement we mean setting a goal and accomplishing that goal.