Turning Negative Self-Image into Self-Empowerment

"In seventh grade, Maddie's English teacher told her she was stupid. Instead of trying to understand Maddie's dyslexia, the teacher would comment about her horrible spelling in front of the class. Even though Maddie qualified for a gifted-level English class, the teacher kept insinuating that she didn't belong. At the end of the semester, the teacher gave her a D, the lowest grade she'd ever gotten.

The blow to Maddie's self-esteem was devastating. Her grades in other classes began to slip. Her social world began to shrink. She lost her enthusiasm for school, friends, and activities."

Parents are alarmed when their teenagers withdraw into a shell. Some parents recall their sons or daughters being enthusiastic and outgoing until a particular incident triggered a shutdown. Others with sons or daughters who have always been a little on the shy side worry that their shyness is keeping them from growing and experiencing life. Then there are those who are not so much withdrawn as they are caught up in maintaining an image. They spend a lot of time and energy being the tough guy, the glamour girl, or the most outrageous, and not much time being themselves. Some young people with low self-esteem are easily coerced by peer pressure into doing things against their will: drugs, bullying, and playing hooky. And there are those who pour a lot of energy into avoiding peer pressure. They conform to what they think is normal and avoid doing anything that might make them stick out.

The common thread among them is avoidance. Whether they withdraw, conform, or hide behind an image, they're trying to duck from somebody they don't want to deal with: themselves.

At the heart of this issue is negative self-image. For a kaleidoscope of reasons, teens can end up feeling bad about themselves - or about a particular aspect of themselves. They may become afraid to show their true selves - sometimes even to their parents.

Everybody goes through this kind of thing at some level. Most of the time it's an event or a phase. Other times, it's a downward spiral. That's when it becomes potentially damaging to teens - and terrifying to parents.

Much of the content of this website is excerpted from the book The Seven Biggest Teen Problems And How To Turn Them Into Strengths - Copyright © 2006 by Bobbi DePorter. All rights reserved. No part of the content of the website may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. SuperCamp®, Quantum Learning® and Learning Forum® are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark office.