Childhood and adolescent self-perception can impact adult behavior and self-image. Factors affecting male self-esteem include traditional male stereotypes, academic performance, learning disabilities, peer relationships, and relationships with male authority figures.
Self-perception developed in childhood and adolescence can have a significant effect on adult behavior and self-image. There are many factors that can affect self-esteem in teens, for better or for worse. Some of the more common influences on male self-esteem include comparisons with traditional male stereotypes, academic performance and extracurricular activities, the presence or absence of learning disabilities, peer relationships, and relationships with male authority figures.
Some experts suggest that a boy’s identification with classic male stereotypes can have an effect on self-image. The perception of men as tough, bluff, deadpan, and violent can sometimes cause boys to feel weak or unmanly if they are experiencing feelings of sadness or fear. Self-esteem in boys can also be damaged if they are taunted or teased for experiencing natural emotions, or for wanting to participate in non-stereotypical “masculine” activities, such as learning to bake cookies, or participating in baseball gymnastics instead.
For many children and adolescents, one of the primary means of measuring self-esteem and personal success comes from academic performance or extracurricular activities. Students who do poorly in school may start to feel inadequate or worry that they are not smart. Kids who do well in school or in sports may also develop low self-esteem if their work isn’t recognized or appreciated by parents or authority figures. Some sociologists have also suggested that the surge in interest in female academic performance since the late 20th century has been detrimental to boys’ self-esteem, if boys believe that their own performance is less important than that of their female classmates.
In addition to academic performance, self-esteem in boys can also be strongly influenced by peer relationships. Teens who are bullied or have trouble making friends may be more prone to low self-esteem, since they don’t get positive personality reinforcement from peers. On the other hand, extremely popular guys may feel more pressured to stay cool in the eyes of their friends and may ignore self-esteem issues to maintain a reputation as a cool guy.
According to some studies, learning disabilities such as dyslexia and attention deficit disorder may be much more prevalent in boys than in girls. If a child has an undiagnosed learning disability, he may not be able to complete schoolwork or progress at the same level as his classmates, with no idea why he is having problems. This can lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness and a severe decrease in self-esteem. With managed diagnosis and treatment, children with learning disabilities can often learn to cope with the school environment, as well as have a safe place to discuss self-image fears related to the disorder.
Many psychologists and researchers suggest that relationships with male role models and authority figures can have a huge impact on self-esteem in boys. If a guy has a healthy male role model, he can glean a lot of useful information about how to be a healthy and responsible man. For boys who don’t have a good relationship with their father, it can be helpful to find alternative role models who can fill a similar position to their father, such as sports coaches, teachers, male therapists, or even admirable historical figures.
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