Self-Esteem and Gendered Adolescents
A study examined by Patrick Heaven and Joseph Ciarrochi on adolescent girls and boys grades 7-10 revealed self-esteem and trait of hope declined overtime. Females declining more rapidly than males. Girls having higher hope in grade7, but lower hope by grade 10. Feelings of high hope across the 4 years were related to a perceived authoritative parenting style and low self-esteem was related to a perceived authoritarian parental style (Heaven & Ciarrochi, 2008).
Research indicates that the race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status of a parent may have an effect on the preferred parental style. As explained by Tania Rothrauff, Teresa Cooney and Jeong Shin An, which states, “Authoritative parenting tends to be more common among Whites and authoritarian parenting style more typical of Blacks and Hispanics” (Rothrauff, Cooney, & An, 2009, p.1). Parents with a high socioeconomic status have more qualities associated with authoritative parenting styles such as warmth and understanding and more child centeredness. There is one instance in which psychologist feel that an authoritarian parenting style is preferred over an authoritative style. In cases of parents with low socioeconomic status, such as low income minorities, authoritarian parental style is preferred. The rational provided is that parents with a low socioeconomic status and live in “high risk environments may actually benefit children’s safety and development and promote school achievement” (Rothrauff, Cooney, & An, 2009, p.137)
With so much racism in the world it is of interest to me to know if race has any effect on the self-esteem of adolescents. Many minority and disadvantaged adolescents are being filled with negative comment and remarks such as “you’re not good enough”, you will never amount to anything”. Does the constant negativity have an effect on the self-esteem of adolescents? Kareem-Nittle states, “According to researchers at Switzerland’s University of Basel, Whites trail both African Americans and Latinos in self-esteem by age30”(Kareem-Nittle, 2011, p.1). African Americans adolescents have a higher self-esteem than Caucasians (Kareem-Nittle, 2011). It is clear to me that self-esteem has little to do with one’s accolades, how much education one has, or the type of neighborhood one might live in. One might think that disadvantaged minority groups would suffer low self-esteem due to the institutional barriers that have locked them out of a so-called “good life” (Kareem-Nittle, 2011). How is it that a group of people with so many factors going against them would have a high self regard for themselves? Researchers attribute a high self-esteem to four factors, “conscientiousness, emotional stability, and a feeling of mastery and extroversion” (Kareem-Nittle, 2011, p.1).
Parents have the ability to change the very adult that their child will grow up to become. Current parents and adults who plan to be parents should take advantage of the opportunity to revisit the parental styles displayed by their own parents. Analyze the style to determine whether it was a healthy, nourishing parental style or one to be avoided at all cost. Knowledge is power. Knowing that just because one may live or come from a disadvantaged background does not mean that their future will have a negative outcome. Having the opportunity to educate oneself about healthy parenting just might mean the difference between raising a child with a trait of high hope and self-esteem and a child without self regard.
A study examined by Patrick Heaven and Joseph Ciarrochi on adolescent girls and boys grades 7-10 revealed self-esteem and trait of hope declined overtime. Females declining more rapidly than males. Girls having higher hope in grade7, but lower hope by grade 10. Feelings of high hope across the 4 years were related to a perceived authoritative parenting style and low self-esteem was related to a perceived authoritarian parental style (Heaven & Ciarrochi, 2008).
Research indicates that the race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status of a parent may have an effect on the preferred parental style. As explained by Tania Rothrauff, Teresa Cooney and Jeong Shin An, which states, “Authoritative parenting tends to be more common among Whites and authoritarian parenting style more typical of Blacks and Hispanics” (Rothrauff, Cooney, & An, 2009, p.1). Parents with a high socioeconomic status have more qualities associated with authoritative parenting styles such as warmth and understanding and more child centeredness. There is one instance in which psychologist feel that an authoritarian parenting style is preferred over an authoritative style. In cases of parents with low socioeconomic status, such as low income minorities, authoritarian parental style is preferred. The rational provided is that parents with a low socioeconomic status and live in “high risk environments may actually benefit children’s safety and development and promote school achievement” (Rothrauff, Cooney, & An, 2009, p.137)
With so much racism in the world it is of interest to me to know if race has any effect on the self-esteem of adolescents. Many minority and disadvantaged adolescents are being filled with negative comment and remarks such as “you’re not good enough”, you will never amount to anything”. Does the constant negativity have an effect on the self-esteem of adolescents? Kareem-Nittle states, “According to researchers at Switzerland’s University of Basel, Whites trail both African Americans and Latinos in self-esteem by age30”(Kareem-Nittle, 2011, p.1). African Americans adolescents have a higher self-esteem than Caucasians (Kareem-Nittle, 2011). It is clear to me that self-esteem has little to do with one’s accolades, how much education one has, or the type of neighborhood one might live in. One might think that disadvantaged minority groups would suffer low self-esteem due to the institutional barriers that have locked them out of a so-called “good life” (Kareem-Nittle, 2011). How is it that a group of people with so many factors going against them would have a high self regard for themselves? Researchers attribute a high self-esteem to four factors, “conscientiousness, emotional stability, and a feeling of mastery and extroversion” (Kareem-Nittle, 2011, p.1).
Parents have the ability to change the very adult that their child will grow up to become. Current parents and adults who plan to be parents should take advantage of the opportunity to revisit the parental styles displayed by their own parents. Analyze the style to determine whether it was a healthy, nourishing parental style or one to be avoided at all cost. Knowledge is power. Knowing that just because one may live or come from a disadvantaged background does not mean that their future will have a negative outcome. Having the opportunity to educate oneself about healthy parenting just might mean the difference between raising a child with a trait of high hope and self-esteem and a child without self regard.