Unrealistic Self-Esteem

While reading this weeks chapter I found the topic of unrealistic self-esteem to be very important. Berger stated that children that experience unrealistically high self-esteem suffer from reduced effortful control. Effortful control is when children can control their emotions and actions by effort instead of by natural inclination (Berger, 2011, p. 352). Berger also stated that children that have unrealistically high self- esteem suffer from aggression and low achievement, the same can be said for those with unrealistically low self-esteem as well. I believe that the society we live in sets children up for failure. I say that because everyday children are watching television and they are having images drilled into their heads about what a man is supposed to look like and what a woman is supposed to look like, and when they can not achieve those expectations they become depressed or even angry. I also believe that because of these images that we constantly see is contributing to the bullying that is taking place. Children see these images and then they compare themselves and others to them and that is what they are using to bully others. Society has sent our children up for failure, and not to love the skin were in, and that is why a lot of unrealistically high self-esteem can't be met and in result children become depressed and angry.

Reference:
Berger, K. S. (2011). The Developing Person Through the Life Span. New York: Worth Publishers.