Terry, that sounds like important research, as it flies in the face of the very strident self-esteem movement, which tries to outlaw everything ? e.g., grading, keeping score in sporting matches, having fun at recess, even jokes and other speech ? that can be construed as harmful to a child’s self-esteem. The criterion used: feelings.
It apparently never occurred to them that challenges to someone’s self-esteem, which are inevitable in life, help the child to develop coping mechanisms to navigate and deflect future ones.
One could argue that the ne plus ultra of this current philosophy manifests itself on TV in the vast array of confessional or exhibitionist shows that rely on people with no sense of personal dignity to assert, often angrily, their pride and need for r’speck despite admitting in front of millions either flat-out bizarre sexual behavior, incredible personal neuroses, complete inability to raise their children, ad nauseam ? things no one should be proud of, and certainly not to the extent that someone would want willingly to announce it to the world, save that face time on TV alone suffices to please.
