Do Teens Have Too Much Self-Esteem or Do Adults Just Not Understand?
We are living in a generation in which adults do not understand how teenagers truly feel about their appearance. Or they assume that we are too confident because of what we post on social media. What they don’t realize is that teenagers actually struggle to accept themselves. Teenagers may be confident due to the number of pictures they take and post online, but in reality, most lack self-esteem and view themselves negatively.
We live in an era in which we feel pressured to look a certain way. There are certain standards placed upon teens that adults are simply unaware of. Many assume that teenagers are just being picky when choosing a picture to post. In reality, we are ‘picky’ because we worry about what others might think. There will always be that fear that someone might say or think about your post in a negative way.
Editor Patrice Apodaca in her LA Times article “Social media and exaggerated expectations play a role in rising teen suicide rate” confirms that “the pressure to be ‘perfect’” has appeared to “be driving acute feelings of failure and hopelessness.
Teenagers try their best to look good because there is that feeling of not being good enough. That is the point of adults tend to miss.
Taking pictures of myself or even posting on social media has always made me feel self-conscious. It takes forever to decide which pictures I should delete or post. I always tend to stare at the picture until it becomes ‘ugly’. There was this one time in my life in which I posted a picture because I felt good about it, but some people had to ruin it for me. I got told by a few adults I knew that it seemed like I was “overly confident”.
If only they knew what was going through my mind before posting the picture. If only they knew I was worried that people were going to talk bad about it. If only they knew that I almost did not post it because I believed it would get ugly throughout time.
Adults need to be more understanding of teenagers. They need to realize that the times have changed and that there are certain standards teens are pressured to follow. Instead of nagging on what teens do, there should be awareness. They should give the reassurance that one is unique and their person.
But, even if teenagers did have too much self-esteem it isn’t something that is hurting anyone. As long as the teen feels good about themselves and have that reassurance, there should not be a problem with what is posted.
Alejandra goes by her nickname, which is Ale. Although she seems shy, she is a social butterfly. She is a senior and is very involved in school activities....
Jesus • Dec 13, 2019 at 9:56 am
I agree with her about teens feeling pressured to look a certain way or act a certain way. I also agree that students feel negatively about themselves. I feel like students shouldn’t feel that way and should just be themselves rather than letting society control you.
Derick Moore • Dec 12, 2019 at 3:06 pm
I do agree with this article and very strongly because most of the things stated here are true from how people feel about posting social media and more. One thing I do strongly agree with is the part when the article states “Teenagers actually struggle to accept themselves” the reason I agree with it is because I have a few female friends who always look at themselves negatively saying things like “I’m ugly” or “I’m not good enough.” Furthermore, I could relate with this because this used to be me I always worried about other people’s opinions more than anything I used to be sensitive on how people made fun of me and more on my clothes or appearance however, I learned at the end of the day the only validation I need in my life is my parent’s opinion nothing more nothing less.
Ne'Veh • Dec 12, 2019 at 2:40 pm
That article is very agreeable. The stuff they talked about in the article i feel the exact way. Teenagers should read the article I recommend it.
Markesha • Dec 12, 2019 at 10:43 am
I think that not many adults or parents even know their kids are insecure or that they have too much self-esteem. Alejandra makes a point on how many teens having high self-esteem from being criticized or talked about by others. Also, I feel parents don’t understand it because teens act differently in person.
Yajaira • Dec 12, 2019 at 9:56 am
I agree with the author. She points out very good reasons of why some people think us teens have a strong self-esteem, but in reality we’re not too confident enough to post pictures because some of us tend to worry about what other people have to say.
Many teenagers struggle with low self-esteem which is bad. Low self-esteem can cause depression and it mostly has to do with social media.
Stephanie • Dec 9, 2019 at 3:11 pm
I agree social media standards make teens think they are not good enough. Parents don’t really get what goes through a teen’s mind when they post a picture on Instagram. teens can be even too insecure to post a picture of themselves.
Emanuel • Dec 8, 2019 at 10:12 pm
Alejandra does state a well organized opinion showing how many teenagers have standards towards themselves after posting pictures in social media and getting worried about peoples perception of them. It shows to say, many teenagers go through a very self destruction faze of themselves thinking they’re not good enough for the social network. Some teenagers have dealt with a problem like that and it caused many of them to be worried on them posting a picture or selfie. She brings up a valid point on many young adults not having a strong self esteem from being criticized from others. There are many teenagers who struggle with self esteem due to social media standards thinking they’re not good enough for themselves.