Self-Concept from a Christian Parenting Perspective

A child's self concept is vital and this gives a look at the subject matter from a Christian worldview perspective.

Feldman (2008) defines self-concept as a person’s identity or set of beliefs about what one is like as an individual.  He defines self-esteem as an individual’s overall and specific positive and negative self-evaluation.  If we combine these two words and focus on the important keywords we could derive the following: Positive and negative beliefs about ones’ self and identity.  The American Heritage Dictionary defines the word belief as the “mental acceptance of or conviction in the truth or actuality of something.” 

The reason self-concept and self-esteem are so critical is due to the transition that adolescents face during these teenage years.  Their identity is being formed and the social realm can and does play an extensive part in helping form it. This is why the word truth and understanding what it accurately means is so crucial.

The truth that an adolescent carries with them from their childhood will help determine if they have a positive self-esteem and concept. The truth that parents instill in their children will offset the negatives that will come from fellow adolescents.  They can choose to listen to the outer world or hold onto the inner belief and value that was deposited by their parents and by God.

Jesus is truth, The Holy Spirit is truth and the Word of God is truth and if our self-concept and self-esteem are based on this truth, then no matter what happens on the outside the Child of God will feel secure and know their intrinsic worth and value.   When a fellow student who acts in contrast to this truth, “do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind, regard one another as more important than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3 New International Version) the child will recognize the behavior is not in line with what they know as truth.

It is imperative that parents teach their children to rebuke and admonish lies. Studies have shown that persons with low self-esteem easily accept negative feedback from others (Goholt, Eckbert, Wichstrom & Haldorsen ).  I have explained this to my own daughter and encourage her daily to put on her “mental armor.”  She knows it is necessary because poisonous arrows full of lies will be shot at her which are intended to break through her wall of truth. The Truth reminds her "…use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will still be standing up" (Ephesians 6:13) 

References

Berube, M. (Ed.). (1969) The American heritage dictionary (2^nd college ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company

 

Feldman S. Robert (2008). Development across the life span (5^th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.

 

Grøholt, B., Ekeberg, O., Wichstrøm, L., & Haldorsen, T. (2005, October). Suicidal and

Nonsuicidal adolescents: different factors contribute to self-esteem. Suicide & Life-

Threatening Behavior, 35(5), 525-535. Retrieved September 15, 2008, from MEDLINE

database.

 

Author's Note

Written for a Human Development class my first semester for Grad school at Liberty University.