Introduction

Low self-esteem is an epidemic found throughout the African American population, and
is commonly found in adolescents who live in European descents. Low self-esteem in
adolescence and young adulthood is a risk factor for negative outcomes in important life
domains (Orth,2011,pg.607). There are a number of causes, effects, support systems and
solutions for African Americans with low self-esteem. Low self-esteem is a debilitating condition
that keeps individuals from realizing their full potential. Some causes of low self-esteem are
bullying, lack of parental support, unhappy childhood, lack of support and being raised by a
single parent. Some symptoms of low self-esteem are distrusting others, blaming-behavior, fear
of taking risks, dependence and feelings of being unloved or unloveable. History shows that from
the 1900s to 1960s, African Americans suffered from low self esteem. Then, between 1968 to
1980, there was a major turn, statistics show that African Americans have the highest level of self
esteem out of all ethnic groups.
Background Information
Self-esteem is how much one values oneself; it is how one perceives how valuable one
thinks one is to others. Negative self-esteem, also known as low self-esteem, is the lack of self
confidence and self respect. Some words that could be used to describe a child suffering from
low self esteem include withdrawn (shy), insecure, negative, underachieving, socially inept,
hostile, etc. It should be noted that, on average, self-esteem during childhood is found to be
relatively high. However, there are individual differences and some children are unfortunate to
experience feelings of low self-esteem.
There are some pros to self esteem such as the self respect and positive self evaluation
one develops. However, there are also many cons; lack of self-respect and lack of holding

oneself to ones worth are a couple examples. One way that self-worth shows itself in adolescent
girls is physical appearance. When it comes to weight and height, girls normally want to be short
and thin; statistics show that girls who are underweight are normally satisfied with their
appearance. Girls that are normal are also considered to be satisfied but girls who appear to be
obese tend to wish they were thinner (Pediatrics, 2008, pg.13).
History
During the 1900's, a little after slavery, African Americans were mainly surrounded by
people of European descent. African Americans would compare themselves to those Europeans,
causing them to have low self esteem. Studies show that "African American children
demonstrated a preference for playing with white dolls, were interpreted as evidence that African
American children hate themselves for being black and wish that they were white" (Rowley,
1997, pg.1). When these studies went viral, it caused others to research African American selfesteem as well. Other researchers discovered that "early work on African American racial
identity erroneously assumed that reference group orientation was related" (Rowley, 1997, pg.1),
Which suggest that discrimination of ones race and identity.
Between the 1900s and 1960s, researchers continued to prove that African Americans
suffered from low self esteem. From 1968 through 1980, there was a huge change in the trend.
"74 percent of the studies reported that blacks had equal or higher self esteem than whites"
(Adams, N.D., pg.69). African Americans had always possessed medium to high personal self
esteem. According to Adams The chief difference inspired by the 1960s was the movement
away from Eurocentric worldwide and towards a more Eurocentric perspective" (Adams, N.D,
pg.70). It is believed that civil rights and the Black Power movement had an exemplary impact
on this social and political change.

There are several different theories that help explain low self-esteem. One of the theories
is called Contingencies of Self Esteem Theory. The Contingencies of Self Esteem Theory
"posited that self esteem is dependent upon the sources an individual uses to validate his/her self
esteem" (Adam, N.D, pg.71). Another is Social Identity Theory which states that "black group
identity positively influences personal self esteem" (Adams, N.D, pg.71). Yet another, the Locus
of Control Model, states that "Blacks utilize system of blame, an external locus of control, with a
belief that discrimination is at fault; as a consequence, blacks are able to protect their self guard
from societal critique" (Adams,N.D,pg.71). Indicating that African Americans put up a guard; a
wall protecting them from external factors. Which allows African Americans to protect
themselves from social critique.
Causes of Low Self-Esteem
Low self-esteem in children can be related to physical punishment and lack of love from
parents. If a child's parent has no role in their social and academic life the child is more
susceptible to feeling like the have no parental support.

It also depends on counterproductive

activities such as bullying, cheating and quitting. Bullies are one of the most common negative
factors that cause low self-esteem because the person doing the bullying is suffering from low
self-esteem and also causing the one being bullied to have low self-esteem. Constant access to
internet by todays youth allows bullying to go even beyond school walls or social settings.
Cyberbullying victims and offenders both had significantly lower self-esteem than those who
have not experienced cyberbullying (Patchin & Hinduja, 2010, pg.614).
African American students reported to have being bullied or harassed due to their race or
ethnicity at the highest rate, (U.S. Commission on Civil Rights,2011,pg.11). Low self esteem
can be linked to teenage pregnancy. Meaning , that those girls who suffer from low self-esteem

normally are the ones who gets pregnant at a young age. Adolescents that are suffering from low
self-esteem normally suffer in their teenage years. Research explains that the teen birth rate is at
an all time high, In the United States 31.3 per thousand women aged 15-19 are pregnant
(Planned parenthood federation of america,2013), which is higher than any other country. So, it
is important that parents, teachers and other supporters help those adolescents overcome low
self-esteem. Low self-esteem is caused by external factors that negatively affect a persons life.
African Americans are susceptible to teenage pregnancy living in European descent, because
thats when African Americans are most vulnerable.
Importance of Family Income
The absence of one parent is detrimental to an African American family due to the lack of
income. "For instance, McLeod et al. argued that parents who experience income loss become
more rejecting of their children" (Murray, 1999, pg. 477). Causing the child to feel the lack of
parental support both physically and emotionally.
Importance of Family Functioning
Family functioning plays an important role in African Adolescents life because their
house environment determines the path of their life. Research "found that family-environment
quality significantly on African American children has generally been very supportive of the
family functioning theory"(Murray, 1999, pg.477). Some argue that an environment has the
ability to shape a childs lifestyle, personality, self-concept, etc; while others believe that those
things are inherent in the child (Chang, 2007, pg.4).
There are other contexts in which African Americans have low self-esteem. Mainly when
it comes to low income, school performance and single parenting. "The bulk of these
explanations derive from three general theoretical perspectives: (a) the family structure

perspective, (b) the family income perspective and (c) the family functioning perspective"
(Murray, 1999, pg.475). This causes adolescents to feel a lack of love and support from their
family.
Weight
Weight is also another cause of low self-esteem in African American adolescents.The
United States has experienced dramatic increases in obesity among both children and adults.
Some of the greatest increases have occurred among African American girls. African Americans
are mainly affected due to poor eating habits, depression and health issues. The rise of obesity is
also blamed for an emerging epidemic of type ii diabetes in children and adolescents ages 7-10
the disproportionately affects girls ages 7-9 and 11, The obesity rate in 2002 was highest among
African Americans 31 percent. The obesity rate was also higher among those with less education
and low household income, (L.A. Health ,2003, pg.1).
Effects of Low Self-Esteem
Low self-esteem does not come by surprise; there are normally symptoms that lead up to
low self-esteem. Fear and anxiety attacks are extreme symptoms from which people with low
self-esteem suffer. "During these attacks they may attack or withdraw and isolate while feeling
embarrassed, humiliated, devastated, depressed, even despairing" (The Self-Esteem Institute,
n.d.). Panic attacks are also one of the main attacks. "Panic attacks occur whenever a person with
low self-esteem does or says something that he/she afterwards deems to have been inappropriate,
stupid, rude, obnoxious, off target, or inaccurate. At that time, the person may experience
immediate remorse, excruciating anxiety, his heart racing, his face turning red, a sinking feeling
of embarrassment, depression and/or devastation" (The Self-Esteem Institute., n.d.). In many
cases, low self-esteem causes depression. Depression is defined as a persistent experience of a

sad or irritable mood as well anhedonia, a loss of the ability to experience pleasure in nearly all
activities (Cash, R.,2001).
Low self esteem in African Americans who are surrounded by people of European
descent is common. African Americans were found to have the highest self esteem when
surrounded by other African Americans. Due to the fact that African Americans tend to compare
themselves to Europeans, African Americans view themselves as being weaker or less important
than Europeans. There are many reasons why African Americans suffer from low self-esteem.
During the 1900's, the comparison they made between themselves and Europeans was the main
cause of negative self-esteem. As a result, the main reason is the humiliation that African
Americans suffer from when they are in environments in which Europeans are the majority.
Suicide is also another effect of low self-esteem, normally suicide first comes as a
thought, then it becomes reality. Adolescents that experience or are exposed to more than one
risk factor, are at an increased risk for engaging in suicidal behaviors. Risk factors associated
with suicidal ideation include biological, environmental, and psychological factors (The
Military Reach Team,2014,pg.2).
Case Study
It still hurts to say this but my name is Shauna and I have gotten through an abusive
relationship and being bullied in middle school. Not once did I ever think that I would be the
one that got bullied. I had a lot of confidence and a high self-esteem at the time. I had so many
friends and I was happy! Until the 6th grade hit. I still remember my first day, terrified of my
new school and I didnt know what was to come. It all started with a boy on my bus! Constantly
harassing and teasing me in the morning and afternoons.

I realized I was getting bullied when he smacked my sandwich out of my hand, stepped
on it, and then through at my face. At this point I was beginning to feel alone so when a boy
asked me out I said yes. He was so sweet, kind, funny, and handsome at FIRST! Then the third
month into our relationship he changed. He started to make rude jokes about me and tease me.
Then one day by my local library when I told him I wasnt in the mood to hang out he shoved me
against the brick building. I was completely shocked! How could this happen to me! We started
yelling and arguing so I walked away into the library! These were my first two experiences! The
bullying got worst!
The original person that was bullying me got at least 13 other people to bully me. It was
depressing and lonely being me. I was still dating Noah and by this time I knew I was getting
abused. It started off being every couple weeks, to every week, and eventually everyday! I was
afraid of him. I had bruises and marks up and down my body! I was able to hide it because I have
eczema. My parents never knew and I wasnt planning on telling them. 7 months went by and I
finally broke up with him and got one of my last beatings. I cant even imagine seeing him today.
Though back to the bullying situation, by the time 6th grade was over I knew that my life was
not going to be the same as elementary school and the happy and joyful Shauna was gone. My
7th grade year my dad was gone a lot and I was getting bullied constantly everyday at least 4-5
times a day. I was miserable! I was helpless! I was depressed... This was the year that I decided
that I wanted to end my pain and everybody else's. So one day after school I went into my
medicine cabinet and took 3-6 pills of every type of pill that I could swallow! I remember crying
and screaming, I was breathing so hard and my heart felt like it was going to come out of my
chest. Luckily I only ended up getting very sick! By my 8th grade year I was very angry and
mean to everybody! I hated everything and anything that I could possibly hate. I became the

bully. I am ashamed of my actions and I know my past is not an excuse but I was hurting. My
bullying situation got so bad that I didnt eat in the lunchroom anymore. I sat in a teacher's
classroom and ate my lunch and worked.
I was lonely! I was no longer Shauna! She was gone, and didnt plan on coming back. I
still took pills in the 8th grade but it wasnt that many! I began to smoke pot and drink alcohol. It
got rid of the pain for a short period of time and I just felt like I was okay until that high is over
and you feel like you need more! I started to get sick again and started to become light headed all
of the time and I always had a shortage of breath. But then my Lord and Savior saved me. Track!
When I started track I was extremely skinny from not eating and taking pills, so I didnt think I
would be any good, but it turns out I was amazing. I was the fastest girl in the school! When I ran
I didnt think about anything! I felt free of the pain suffering! I was able to let go. Its sad to say
that my story doesnt end well! At the end my family blamed me for getting abused and bullied
and my own brother started bullying me in my own house but I'm stronger than ever before and I
can fight my battles now!
~Shauna, a survivor (Lizzie & Becky, 2012)

Solutions for Low Self-Esteem

There have been many theories of ways to support girls suffering from low self-esteem.
There are many solutions. For example, there is an all girls support group, 'Girls power', which
there is "an eight session group counseling curriculum for 5th grade girls" (Camp, n.d.) giving
them a chance to express themselves to a supporter and other young girls their age suffering from
low self-esteem. "Group counseling has been found to be effective in general" (Camp, n.d.)
There are many other support groups similar to the 'Girls power' group, which also can be a
supporter for those girls that suffer from low self-esteem. In many cases, low self-esteem leads to

death. When one feels that they have no great value or qualities to contribute to the world, they
tend to do harmful things to themselves.

Conclusion
There are many causes, effects, supports and solutions of low self-esteem in African
American adolescents. History shows that, although it is found that African American
adolescents self esteem is higher when surrounded by other African Americans who are all equal.
Ultimately, there are still African American adolescents in some contexts who suffer for different
reasons such as those in families with low income, those with a lack of family functioning and
those living in single parent households. Another reasoning of low self-esteem would be the
cultural difference between African American adolescents and European adolescents. Although
many African Americans suffer from low self-esteem with the support of their parents and other
supportive people, adolescents can overcome low self-esteem.