All of these replies were informative. I enjoyed reading them. However, IMHO Cheek was the only person to even TOUCH on the real problem and the real solution to the problem. It is LOVE. Cheek used Jesus as a model. I can think of no better model for this, but regardless of one's religion/faith love should be somewhere in the equation.
This self-esteem issue (for males and females) has EVERYTHING to do with love. I will comment on females lack of self-esteem though, since it is the topic of discussion.
Females, as much as males, need their fathers' approval and/or love. There is nothing that can substitute for it. When a father is absent (either physically or emotionally) it wounds a female so deeply that it takes the power of God to heal them. Plain and Simple....Women except poor treatment from men because they are looking for love....and unfortunately it comes from a man whom has been neglected also. These young ladies stay in situations that are detrimental to them because they believe they are loved (or they want to believe that) and are afraid that if they let this little boy go that they may never receive love from a man again...especially because their own father does not love them enough to demontrate his love. "If my own father doesn't love me then why would another man love me." is their concern. So...they do everything in their power to keep the first person who gives them the ILLUSION of love.
It is why young women want to have babies (because they feel the baby will love them no matter what). It is young women are sexually active. It is why young women let themselves get abused (because the boy does it because he loves me). It is why some young women get caught up in cults (because they feel apart of something) etc. etc. the list goes on and on.
Of course the mothers have some blame, but the brunt of it should be placed on fathers for not knowing (or choosing not to) demonstrate their love for their daughters (and sons). It is so important!!!!!!! This love would curve so many destructive actions that we would see a vast difference in teen behavior in our communities. This is MHO at a glimpse.
This self-esteem issue (for males and females) has EVERYTHING to do with love. I will comment on females lack of self-esteem though, since it is the topic of discussion.
Females, as much as males, need their fathers' approval and/or love. There is nothing that can substitute for it. When a father is absent (either physically or emotionally) it wounds a female so deeply that it takes the power of God to heal them. Plain and Simple....Women except poor treatment from men because they are looking for love....and unfortunately it comes from a man whom has been neglected also. These young ladies stay in situations that are detrimental to them because they believe they are loved (or they want to believe that) and are afraid that if they let this little boy go that they may never receive love from a man again...especially because their own father does not love them enough to demontrate his love. "If my own father doesn't love me then why would another man love me." is their concern. So...they do everything in their power to keep the first person who gives them the ILLUSION of love.
It is why young women want to have babies (because they feel the baby will love them no matter what). It is young women are sexually active. It is why young women let themselves get abused (because the boy does it because he loves me). It is why some young women get caught up in cults (because they feel apart of something) etc. etc. the list goes on and on.
Of course the mothers have some blame, but the brunt of it should be placed on fathers for not knowing (or choosing not to) demonstrate their love for their daughters (and sons). It is so important!!!!!!! This love would curve so many destructive actions that we would see a vast difference in teen behavior in our communities. This is MHO at a glimpse.