Self-esteem (自尊) and Body Image
Self-esteem is all about what people think of themselves. It is important because feeling good about yourself can affect how you act. People who have high self-esteem will make friends easily. They are more in control of their behavior, and will enjoy life more.
Some teenagers struggle with their self-esteem when they grow into adults because the body goes through many changes. Along with the changes comes a natural desire to feel accepted. What's more, they can't help but compare themselves with others. They may compare themselves with the people around them or with actors and other famous people they see on TV, in movies, or in magazines.
The physical changes can affect how both girls and boys feel about themselves. Some girls may feel uncomfortable about their growing bodies. Others may wish that they were developing faster. Girls may feel like being thin but boys may feel like they don't look big enough.
It's not just body development that affects self-esteem. Many other factors can affect a person's body image too. Family life, for example, can sometimes influence self-esteem.Some parents spend more time criticizing their kids and the way they look than praising them.This can reduce kids' ability to develop good self-esteem. Also their classmates and peers may tease them about the way they look. These sometimes can affect their self-esteem.
If there are things about yourself that you want to change and you can change, do this by making goals for yourself.If there are things that you can't change, recognize that your body is your own. It's no one's business but your own what your body is like. Actually, to be happy with yourself, all you need to do is to change the way you see your body.