"Mike Coslo" wrote:

(snip) Diminishing emphasis on "self-esteem"
would be a great idea. Self-esteem should be
something earned. One of the strangest things
I have seen lately is the bizzare students
who have a great sense of self-esteem with
absolutely no reason for it. No accomplishments,
no education, nothing but feeling really,
really good about themselves. (snip)


There's nothing wrong with a little self-esteem. Instead, as you suggest,
the problem is being full of it (and, yes, the double meaning was intended).

But a bigger problem is what they expect from others based on that bloated
self-esteem. Too many today expect way too much respect from others, far
beyond what is routinely given to just another human being. It's not just a
coincidence that he or she "disrespected me" has become a common complaint
today. Many feel they don't they have to do anything to earn that extra
respect - it should be given just because they're a wonderful human being.
Of course, when that extra respect is not forthcoming, they feel cheated.

The schools do a fine job of installing plenty of self-esteem. However,
they fail at also making those kids understand than anything beyond basic
respect has to be earned - it's not just given because you happen to exist.


(snip) Oh, yeah. Get the kids thinking about
something other than what's happening 5 minutes
from now.


Well, that¹s probably trying to achieve a little too much.


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/