Question

Josh is 14, he comes from a poor family; his mother is divorced but very supportive and values education. However he is not doing very well in school, and hates going to school because the other children pick on him because of the clothes he wears. Outside of school he excels at all his endeavors, which include basketball, working on the family car, and likes to read and has even written a few short stories, but has never shown them to anyone. He hopes to become a basketball player when he grows up. What can you say about Josh’s self-concept and self-esteem? How will Josh’s self-concept and self-esteem affect his adult life?

Answer 1

What can you say about Josh’s self-concept and self-esteem? How will Josh’s self-concept and self-esteem affect his adult life?

The self concept of josh is not in a very good place. He is capable of doing certain things, like basketball and writing short stories, but, he is afraid to show it in front of people. This fear is because he is already being ridiculed at his school for his clothes. He doesn’t want those people to have another reason to ridicule him. At present, josh is los on self confidence, a primary reason of which being his socio economic situation. Furthermore, he has seen his parents separate, which would also be leaving an impact in his mind, unless he is able to talk about it. One of the primary reasons of him doing poorly in school is the children who are mocking him. When a child is faced with such adversities in school, they tend to be affected by them and perform poorly.

He is confident enough and wants to become a basketball player. This implies that he is confident on one of his skills, despite the adversities he is facing. This concept of self, for josh can play dual role. At school where is is mocked, he might continue to perform poorly until steps are taken where the children behaving with him in this manner would be asked to stop and he would be given proper confidence booster steps. Secondly, at the basketball court, his self confidence will take him places, since, he is sure about something and has the will to excel in that field, thus taking him forward.