Sociology

Introduction
Psychologists define self esteem as an individuals general assessment and judgment of his or her value or importance. It comprises of ones values and attitude towards life in general. This includes his or her capabilities and incapability, hopelessness, completeness, accomplishment, among others. Self esteem can also be exhibited in ones actions or conduct, for example being self assured, confident, or just being timid or diffident. Psychologists hold that although usual temporal changes might occur, self esteem should be a long term character trait of an individual person.  Other terminologies that have the same meaning as self esteem include self respect or worth, self regard or love for one self, self integrity etc. Self esteem is a theory of individuality and thus for it to mature or nurture, it calls for value for one self which can only be found in accepting or implementing the challenges one faces whose outcome will be achievement or victory. Self esteem can be both implicit and explicit. Implicit self esteem entails ones nature to assess himself optimistically or pessimistically in a natural, usual way, while explicit self esteem engages more cognizant mindful and philosophical assessment of one self. (Crocker and Wolfe, 2001)

Adolescence is defined as the period between the ages of twelve years to twenty years of an individuals development.  It is normally characterized by the self identity factor that is its an age of identifying one self. All human beings have to pass through this controversial period that depicts their character and their future relations within the society. Adolescence is associated with various changes which are classified as follows physical changes, Psychological changes and emotional changes. All these three changes tend to inter-relate in one way or another affecting the growth of a child. The adolescents tend to acquire a few changes in the way they think, the way they view themselves, the way the society views them and the way they carry themselves around in the society. It tends to define their emotional well being as they upgrade themselves as individuals rather than children who need to be under the care of their parents. From this point hence forth they tend to gain the route to independence that identifies with whom they are in the society (David, 1999)

Theories of Self Esteem
Early theorists like Abraham Maslow indicated that self esteem is a necessary or an inspiration, through which he classified it under his hierarchy of needs, and he categorized it into two forms, i.e. the call for reverence from other people and the value for self worth (inner self esteem). Reverence (respect) from external forces which comprises of gratitude, acknowledgement, credit, appreciation, rank and was seen to be very delicate and effortlessly mislaid than that found within oneself. In this case we find that the achievement of self esteem makes ones drive towards realization of self actualization increase.

The modern theorists on self esteem have tried to seek for reasons why people are inspired to uphold a high consideration for them selves.  The theory of Sociometer upholds that self esteem was meant to verify ones plane of class or position and approval in his community. (Crocker, Luhtanen, Cooper and Bourvrette, 2003) With regard to the theory of terror management, self esteem serve a defensive role and decreases nervousness concerning existence and fatality. Though the value and level of self esteem are interrelated, they still remain diverse. Concerning the level of self esteem, a person can show signs of high but weak self esteem or low but steady or firm self esteem. The quality of self esteem can be in some way evaluated in different ways by investigators. This can either be in terms of its consistency for a period of time, self determination of attaining certain provisions and also its entrenched character at a critical psychological state.

The components of self worth include those characteristics someone trusts he or she must posses for him to be graded as someone of character. Researchers assert that these contingencies are the root of self esteem. With regard to the Self worth model contingencies by Crocker and Wolfe (2001) people are different in their basis of self esteem. Their attitudes concerning what they require to carry out or what they want to be for them to be regarded as somebody of value, results into this basis these psychologists found out seven domains from which many beings obtain their self esteem. They include among others, desirable qualities, love of God, sustenance from relatives, learning capabilities, outward beauty, obtaining acceptance from others, shining other people during contests.

People who rely on their self worth on a particular domain expose oneself to danger especially in cases where harmful actions occur on them in that specific domain. Jambeker, Quinn and Crocker (2001) argues that self esteem contingencies from peripheral e.g. outward attractiveness and excellence in academics interrelate inversely with self worth and can even lead to stress and bad eating habits. Crocker, Luhtanen, Cooper, and Bourvrette (2003) identifies that self worth can still regulate itself and says that triumphing self regulation occurs when one is enthusiastic to put forth his exertion to his essential objectives by seeing drawbacks as chances of learning and look out for feeble points and try to tackle them, and also implement forthcoming policies in an effort to realize this objectives.

Self Esteem Components in Adolescence
The main issue of self esteem in adolescence is all about understanding one self, hence the need for the society to be able to accord the young adults respect as they become their own person.  Through this journey they are able to make their own choices, commitments and stands hence developing individualism. Adolescence provides a challenging step that is complicated and needs courageous actions. (David, 1999)

From birth of a child, the relationship of a child to its parent is always strong and most of the parents assume the roles of care giver while the child seems helpless the parents become everything to them from advice facilitators to decision making to achieve the best for the young child. During puberty this trend takes a downhill trend from the dependant children they used to be to rebellious ones, they usually tend to have their own opinion about issues concerning their life. Parents at this stage always dont understand their children as they make their decision which seems to be always off the mark. The adolescents tend to augur well with their peers outside their family circle this normally presents the problem of peer pressure which inclines one to do what the rest of the group is doing. Peer pressure can be defined as an inclination of following a set of rules inscribed by a group of people of the same age set. This group in adolescents are said to have a culture which is described as pop, meaning they listen to certain kind of music, the mobile technology culture they text one another when it comes to the sharing of information. They also have mastered the art of internet technology where they surf for information and also expose them to cyber crimes as underage sex and cyber sex. With this kind of information in their hands they tend to be up-to-date with fashion and whats in, in the social arena (David, 1999)

Problems Associated With Self Esteem in Adolescence
Body Image with Self Esteem
One of the problems facing the teenagers is obesityoverweight. Due to hormonal changes inclined to the biological growth, teenagers tend to eat more than usual hence they become overweight, a problem associated with appearance. Depending on the kind of group they are hanging out with they will tend to feel out of the group basing it on the current fad of being slim. Thus most teenagers will tend to start starving themselves with an ambition of reducing their weight the reason for this is that they get problems when hanging out with their peers hence they are either alienated or bullied. As they are alienated they either become more obese or they try to alleviate the problem and become anorexic which is the act of starving oneself hence becoming frail and weak leading to being sick with anorexia. Bulling and teasing due to overweight problems will always lead to stress which ends up to depression. As the child fights the battle alone, with no support neither at school nor at home. (Jambekar, Quinn, and Crocker, 2001)

Drug Abuse
Due to the problem of peer pressure most teens make big mistakes in their day to day decision. Drug abuse comes into play out of curiosity and adventure. Self esteem may actually make a teenager to engage in drug abuse so as to feel grown up and to fit in their social groupings. Alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, khat, are just some of the drugs that teens experiment in and most of the teens who mess with drugs are the ones who want to fit in their group and those with a history of drug abuse from their homes. Behavioral changes in teens experimenting in drugs include alienation, antisocial and deviant characteristics, rebellious nature unkemptness and not keeping time. Most of these drugs are addictive hence prolonged usage brings effects to the after life of the person involved.

Bullying
Bullying is an abusive behavior that occurs during adolescent developmental stages. This happens when certain children tend to grow physically faster than the others of the same age group. The fast maturing group tends to overpower the little ones. Bullying can be categorized in various groups it can take the direct line where it is characterized by teasing taunting, name calling, stealing, blackmail, gossip, intentional exclusion, and spread of rumors. The result of bullying is the victims are subjected to isolation and rejection. Boys take the physical threats and intimidation as way of bullying while girls take the route of verbal abuse. Bullying can either be direct or indirect in either case it leads to physical or psychological intimidation. Bullies are those adolescents that tend to feel in control hence deriving satisfaction in hurting others. Apparently most bullies come from homes that tend to portray violence and confrontation as ways of solving problems. (Jambekar, Quinn, and Crocker, 2001)

Most adolescents are antisocial that they want to form gangs on which they can spread fear and be able to practice their awesome power. Most of these bullies have a problem with self-esteem, this is a problem that tends to follow them to their adulthood most of them becoming criminals and not being able to hold positive relationships in future. Bullish behavior can lead to depression and suicide, most children who are bullied at school tend to fear going to school, and they become socially inactive and develop anger. When anger is left to grow in a long time it tends to explode presenting an uglier scene than the bullying act.

Suicide
Due to confusion, depression, bullying, effects of prolonged use of drugs this can lead to suicidal thoughts among the adolescents which if not controlled can lead to the actual act of suicide. Most adolescents feel lost in their environment by feeling different and viewing the society as their enemy. And after experimenting with drugs, drown in depression the ultimate decisions to their self discovery leads to suicide. This happens especially when the emotional changes take an escalation and lack of comprehension between the society, family, churches and young teenage is experienced. Anger in adolescents is also a raising factor that can lead to suicide anger can be described as an emotion that is brought about by a disagreement that tends to favor one party than the other. This ends up in the feeling of being vengeful by being shortchanged by events that have taken place and for instance if the offended party doesnt get his fair share then anger is natured. If it grows to uncontrolled levels then it explodes into a bad scene. A small provocation can lead to a massive blowing out of the situation. Most teens see suicide as the answer to escape reality which most of the time they view as impossible situations or thoughts hence suicide becomes a form of escapism.

Romanticismsex
Adolescences of the same age group tend to do things in the same manner and they tend to develop attraction among them thus they start to experience romantic emotions towards each other. This becomes a problem because for one they are not experienced in this area and everything they do becomes an experiment. Romantic development among teenagers is usually ignored and it occurs inform of an adolescence having an interest and attraction towards another and are normally brushed of by the society as non lasting, they term it as a passing attraction that has no basis, but they should be taken with great emphasis by guiding the teens step by step on their emotional changes related to biological changes. (Neil, 2002)

Therefore the adolescences should be taught on how to react to sexual thoughts and desires the reason for this is that those teens who are ignored are not guided on the understanding of their sexuality may turn to masturbation which after sometimes turn tragic. For instance the teen can become selfish and egocentric when it comes to emotional situations. They should be provided with information on sexuality emphasizing that sexuality is not an evil act but only an act that should be done by two mature adults in expression of their love towards each other. The teenagers should also be informed that sexuality is also an act done by two people who are ready to take responsibility of the afterward consequences

Counselling and Self Esteem
Counseling is regarded as an essential factor in dealing with people who have been affected by these psychological disorders including the problems related to self esteem. This practice is usually used in helping this people to handle issues which are found to be causing factors of the psychological disorders. Occasionally, this practice requires skilled professionals who can deal with issues ranging from education, marriage, individuals and families. The following are the methods that are used by counselors in order to resolve such issues related to the self esteem issues in adolescence
Dialectical Behavior Therapy this type of therapy has an objective of dealing with individuals especially the adolescents who are known to be suffering from the problems associated with the self-esteem. This therapy indicates that most teenagers are always found to be responding to the emotional stimulation not normally this may come up as a result of biological factors and also the way the adolescent was brought up. This therapy is usually carried out in two forms that is the weekly psychotherapist that involves the addressing issues that are said to have affected the teenager during the week and also coming up with the best resolutions for factors leading to psychological disorders such as depression. The second form is the group therapy which is directed towards the handling of the interpersonal skills, the regulation of emotions and also enabling the individual to accept and also tolerate the problem the individual is facing. The importance of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy is that it helps the individuals like the adolescents found to be suffering from the personality disorders to respond to such conditions positively and also bringing up a number of characteristics including that of self-esteem, having and looking for more goals in life and also learning of new methods of behaving.

Family therapy is regarded as the best method used of helping people who suffer from psychological problems such as those coming up as a result of self esteem. This is because many dysfunctions such as traumas resulting form drug abuse, child abuse and other family matters are easily handled by using the patients family members who produce a number of information such as personal characteristics that may help the counselor in handling the person affected by the disorders. This is a treatment that may be used by many counselors and that they are advised to pertake this therapy with regards to carrying a number of methods used in counseling. One of them is the supportive method of counseling which is applied in the counseling with an objective of relieving pain caused by depression on the individual and also by doing this the patient is also allowed to recognize himself as an important member of the society.

Cognitive Therapy this is a method used to make the patient recognize himself with the social problems he is facing in the society whereby the counselors are put in a position of teaching them on how to recognize minor and major problems that may lead to the occurrence of the problems related to the issues of self esteem. Cognitive therapy aid the dejected individual to be acquainted with life tribulations which are decisive and those that are of no importance which help him or her to come up with positive life objectives.

Conclusion
The main issue of adolescence is all about understanding one self, hence the need for the society to be able to accord the young adults respect as they become their own person.  Through this journey they are able to make their own choices, commitments and stands hence developing individualism. Adolescence provides a challenging step that is complicated and needs courageous actions. Parents have a role to play in safeguarding their childrens well being. By knowing what kind of policies schools offer in detecting bullish behavior in students. The society should also come in and condemn it. When one meets young adults in the neighborhood and suspect bullish behavior, they should take the upper hand to stop it forthwith without favoritism. Suicidal issues can be avoided if communication lines can be opened let the teens be able to speak out their opinions without fear of being ridiculed, looked down upon or subjected to questions.