How Do Adolescents Acquire Self-Esteem and a Positive Self-Image? Essay

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Adolescent Self-Esteem

How do adolescents build self-concept and identity?

During the adolescent period in an individual's life, he/she is in a constant search for identity, according to Professor David D. Witt, University of Akron. The formation of one's identity is the "main development task in adolescence," and the importance of developing a positive self-image in adolescence is that it is "the single motivating force in life" (Witt, 2008). Self-image is what makes an adolescent either passive, or active, and whether an adolescent achieves an active personality depends on intelligence, experiences, and "…the quality of [the adolescent's] social network (Witt, p. 2).

The reality vis-a-vis adolescence is that it is a "major drama" that plays out "on center stage" -- and is, objectively speaking, a "fascinating transitional period" that features the development of new cognitive competencies and emerging societal "expectations" (Witt, p. 2) But on the other hand, how does an adolescent build a positive self-concept and a positive identity, since every person has an idealized self and an actual self -- and the "disparity" between the two, Witt explains, can end up being confusing and can lead to "maladaptation"? Witt explains that the way for an adolescent to avoid the pitfalls of believing in the "false self" (the "idealized self") is to carefully, thoughtfully integrate a "unified sense of identity," which entails the following: a) scholastic competence; b) social acceptance; c) positive family experiences; d) close friendships; and e) physical appearance (Witt, p. 3).

As to how to build up self-esteem: In the Journal of Adolescent Health (Huang, et al.

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, 2007) the authors assert that body image has a powerful influence on "…self-perceptions and self-attitudes," and is directly linked to "self-esteem, interpersonal confidence," behaviors related to food intake and exercise, along with sexual-related activities and "emotional stability." Understanding how adolescents respond to their body shape is important because when adolescents are dissatisfied with their body weight and the shape of their bodies, it can lead to "…a plethora of psychological ills from eating disorders to major depression" (Huang, 246).

Hence, one pivotal way to build self-esteem for adolescents is to maintain proper weight through healthy eating and exercise.….....

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