Unit 1 You and Others 8
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The feelings others have about you are refl ected in your self-concept.
The trust your parents have in you infl uences your self-concept. You feel
confi dent and good about yourself when others trust you. The respect of
your friends shapes your self-concept as well.
Self-Esteem
Think for a moment about your self-concept. Do you think about
yourself in positive ways? Do you feel good about your appearance?
Do you feel proud about your accomplishments? These feelings are
part of your self-esteem. How you feel about your self-concept is
called self-esteem.
People with healthy self-esteem feel good about themselves and enjoy
life. They see themselves as able to do things. They accept and respect
themselves and others.
Self-Confi dence
Having a positive self-concept and healthy self-esteem creates
self-confi
dence. You feel sure of yourself. You believe in yourself and
your abilities. This gives you the courage to deal with new experiences
and people in positive ways. As a result, you will feel that your actions
are worthwhile. You will do better in school, and trying new activities will
seem more fun.
You can boost the self-confi dence of your family members and friends.
Make them feel appreciated, worthwhile, and loved.
Reading
Review
1. How can the feelings others have about you affect your self-concept?
2. Why do people with healthy self-esteem enjoy life?
3. How is your school performance affected by your self-confi dence?
How You Can Change
Do you like the person you are? Are you happy with your appearance
and your personality? People who have positive feelings about themselves
enjoy life. Other people like them and enjoy being with them.
Suppose you are not happy with the way you look. You may wish
you could change. There are ways you can do this. Exercise can help
tone your muscles and make you feel more energetic. You can change
your appearance by updating your wardrobe, wearing contact lenses, or
changing your hairstyle.
You can also make changes if you do not feel good about your
personality. Making changes may not be easy, but they are possible. You
have control over who you are.