let’s take a deeper look at our pain and suffering today. Let’s inspect our own pains and sufferings in this article. You will see your own reflection, your life, your past, and your childhood.
The Developmental Years: 5 to 20
Your life from 5 to 20 years is one of the most important times from the point of view of developmental psychology. How you developed, how your brain developed, how your personality developed, what your emotional constitution is like, and how you view the world socially—do you see it confidently or like a scared person? Do you feel like there’s no one to save you and you are alone? Do you think no one is good and everyone will deceive you? These thoughts might have originated from your experiences between the ages of 5 and 20.
Or, do you feel like you enjoy talking to people, want to talk to everyone, and enjoy sitting with people? This could be the result of being born into a very privileged environment, where you’ve never seen fear, where your parents showered you with love and encouragement. This social perception of “What is fear?” might not have been introduced into your system.
Your personality is biologically and genetically inherited, but its expression depends on how you interact with your environment. If your environment is dangerous and scary, many parts of your genes might be suppressed and not activated, which could lead to behavioral disorders, living in constant anxiety and hyper-vigilance.
Social and Cultural Influences
Rigid Social Hierarchies
Indian society has historically been structured around rigid social hierarchies, most notably the caste system. Although legally abolished, the remnants of this system continue to influence social interactions and self-perception. Lower-caste individuals often face discrimination, which can severely impact their self-esteem and confidence.
Family Dynamics and Expectations
Indian families tend to be close-knit, which can be both a source of support and a source of pressure. High expectations from family members, especially regarding academic and career achievements, can lead to significant stress and a fear of failure. This fear can erode self-confidence and lead to feelings of inadequacy.
Economic Factors
Poverty and Unemployment
India struggles with high levels of poverty and unemployment, which can profoundly impact an individual’s self-esteem. The inability to secure a stable income or provide for one’s family can lead to feelings of worthlessness and shame.
Educational Inequality
Access to quality education is unevenly distributed across India. Those who do not have access to good schools and colleges often find themselves at a disadvantage, which can negatively affect their self-esteem. The pressure to excel in a highly competitive educational environment can also contribute to stress and anxiety.
Psychological Perspectives
Internalized Oppression
Many Indians internalize negative stereotypes and societal attitudes, leading to self-doubt and low self-worth. This internalized oppression can manifest as a lack of confidence in one’s abilities and a tendency to undervalue one’s achievements.
Mental Health Stigma
Mental health issues are often stigmatized in India, leading to a lack of support for those suffering from conditions like depression and anxiety. Without proper mental health care, individuals may struggle to build and maintain self-esteem.
Societal Expectations and Media Influence affecting self-esteem.
Unrealistic Standards
The media often portrays unrealistic standards of success and beauty, which can contribute to low self-esteem. Constant comparisons to idealized images can make individuals feel inadequate and unworthy.
Gender Roles
Traditional gender roles can also play a part in diminishing self-esteem. Women, in particular, may feel pressured to conform to societal expectations, which can limit their opportunities and affect their confidence.
The Impact of Bullying on self-esteem
Bullying is a behavior we have allowed and even glorified to an extent in our country. Bullying by parents, by teachers, and it is normalized. Bullying has three markers: intent to harm, repeatability, and power imbalance. Think about your life—how many moments flash back where a teacher or someone bullied you?
Bullying can be emotional (verbal) or physical. Children facing toxic stress, where stress is continuously imposed on them, show problems in their gene expressions, anxiety, stress cognition, and alterations in the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for planning, thinking, decision-making, and long-term thinking.
The Competitive Environment
In India, by the age of 15, many of us are enrolled in a fierce world-level competition where life either makes or breaks. We are thrown into a dangerous race by the age of 10, which terrifies us.
Let’s talk about the real state of competition. The success rate is around 1 to 5 percent, and the failure rate is around 90 to 95 percent. I’m not talking about percentiles, I’m talking about percentages. Only about 1 percent of the population gets into very good universities. From a subjective judgment point of view, society views them as successful. The failure rate is around 80 percent. If 80 percent of people are considered failures by society by the time they are 18 to 20 years old, it shatters their self-belief and self-esteem.
A society where the most important thing is to perform academically treats those who don’t succeed as losers. Think about how this affects their personality and self-esteem.
Moving Forward: Solutions and Strategies
Promoting Mental Health Awareness
Increasing awareness about mental health and reducing the stigma associated with it can help individuals seek the support they need. Educational programs and community initiatives can play a significant role in this regard.
Educational Reforms
Improving access to quality education for all sections of society can help level the playing field and boost self-esteem among marginalized groups. Encouraging a more holistic approach to education that values creativity and emotional intelligence can also foster confidence.
Empowerment Programs
Programs aimed at empowering disadvantaged communities can help build self-esteem and confidence. These programs can provide vocational training, counseling, and opportunities for self-employment.
Encouraging Open Communication
Creating an environment where individuals feel comfortable discussing their fears and failures can help reduce the pressure to conform to unrealistic expectations. Encouraging open communication within families and communities can foster a supportive atmosphere.
Conclusion
Understanding the factors contributing to low self-esteem and confidence among Indian people requires a multi-faceted approach. By addressing these issues through cultural, economic, educational, and psychological lenses, we can begin to create a society where individuals feel valued and confident in their abilities. This journey is not easy, but it is essential for the well-being of individuals and the growth of the nation.
