Men vs Women and Self-Esteem

[Tropicana]

Re: Men vs Women and Self-Esteem

Well this might relate to the comment by my cute and cuddly centipede whom I LOVE dearly.

If a lot of the male self-esteem is derived from validation from other men (particularly when they are in their teen and young adult years) then maybe all of this boasting and strutting about is aimed at impressing peers. I still for the life of me don't get why a married man would lie about his marital status in international interviews and boast "mi got lot's a girls, you understan' ". Well he certainly ave lots a pickney to prove that this was the case. Fortunately, a lot of them are millionaires due to what they inherited and holding their own in their own careers. Still one wonders how hearing their father talk like that effects their self-esteem. Must be tough when their family business is in the public arena like that. Still, they are a talented crew and doing well and I am happy for them.

Sukuna, no cause for confusion. I am not specifically focusing on Black men and women. I have referred to various studies and some of the clinical literature about this topic. My comments don't all refer to the same study.

[rufian]

Re: Men vs Women and Self-Esteem

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tropicana</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Sukuna, no cause for confusion. I am not specifically focusing on Black men and women. I have referred to various studies and some of the clinical literature about this topic. My comments don't all refer to the same study. </div></div>

I did expect a more scientific approach from you. After all this is a serious topic and we have some people who throw about low self-esteem like salt on the board.

It is an interest of mine.

In a society where sexual potency is exalted, the sons of this man just might be very proud of their dad

[Tropicana]

Re: Men vs Women and Self-Esteem

There will be Sukuna. I just haven't had the time and I will be busy all weekend. Here is a start:

Somewhat surprising results. Note the challenges re: comfort with body image part in White girls in bold blue:
Please note this is based on a 10 year old study.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold">ETHNIC-MINORITY GIRLS AND SELF-ESTEEM</span>

Does self-esteem vary with ethnic background? YES!! At least a team of researcher at Wellesley College believe so. Psychologist Sumru Erkut, PhD conducted a study with over 150 seventh and eighth graders in the Boston area about three years ago. According to the results of the 'Raising Competent Girls' project, self-esteem appears higher in African-American adolescent girls than of any other ethnic group.

Results from the Study:

<span style="font-weight: bold">African-American: </span> <span style="font-weight: bold">Scored highest on the measures. They consider themselves very socially accepted and romantically appealing. High academic achievement was the strongest predictor of high self-worth.</span> They consider attractiveness somewhat important, and <span style="font-weight: bold">most black girls were satisfied with their looks</span>. Black girls also tend to ignore the beauty standards set by the media, instead they form individualized notions of beauty based on their own perceptions.
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This contradicts older studies like the results of clinical analysis in <span style="font-weight: bold">Black Rage</span>. Likely this shows a cultural difference in values. Note the impact of media. Other studies have postulated that girls in predominantly Black areas basically have long dismissed the media standards as irrelevant to them. Interesting enough though, other studies have shown tha many Black American males have bought into media standards of beauty. I don't buy the fact that men are more &quot;visual&quot; but that is the explanation that has been given.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
<span style="font-weight: bold">Latina:</span> Scored second in having a high self-esteem. They see themselves as enticing to the opposite sex. Good grades are important to them. They consider attractiveness very important.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Caucasion: </span>Scored third in having a high self-esteem. However, they did score the highest on athletic competence and second highest on social acceptance. Good grades are important to them also. <span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="color: #000099"><span style="font-weight: bold">They are &quot;practically obsessed with their looks,&quot; Erkut said. The media plays a big part on their notation of beauty standards. These girls are mostly dissatisfied with their looks, which also lowered their self-worth</span></span></span>.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Chinese-American:</span> These girls scored the lowest in the self-esteem study. They scored low on feeling socially accepted and romantically appealing. They feel they excelled only at having close friends, being able to follow the rules, and behaving well. Friends' support is especially important to them. Physical appearance mattered the least to these girls.

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Since this topic is of great interest Sukuna, you may find this interesting:

http://www.fhi.org/NR/rdonlyres/eucyp6dq...l/Jamaica1f.pdf

<span style="font-weight: bold">Adolescence in Jamaica</span>. by Aubrey Sylvester Phillips Published in 1973, Jamaica Pub. House, Macmillan (Kingston, [New York])

Some of the references I have are printed versions and I haven't been able to find free on-line copies. Will try harder when I have more time. Just a quick summary....the 1970's studies cited in the book Adolescence in Jamaica were disturbing. The young people displayed discomfort with Afro-centric features, darker skin and kinky hair. When describing their &quot;ideal self&quot;, they described light skinned Black people with straigh or straightish hair, and European faciall features.

[rufian]

Re: Men vs Women and Self-Esteem

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">African-American: Scored highest on the measures. They consider themselves very socially accepted and romantically appealing. High academic achievement was the strongest predictor of high self-worth. They consider attractiveness somewhat important, and most black girls were satisfied with their looks. Black girls also tend to ignore the beauty standards set by the media, instead they form individualized notions of beauty based on their own perceptions.</div></div>
Definitely, absolutely, I fully agree. 1000%.

I will take some time to read those 54pgs though



What do you mean about men being visual?

[f0rTyLeGz]

Re: Men vs Women and Self-Esteem

I wouldn't put much faith in that first study... the second one about Jamaican 7th and 8th grade students was depressing. Especially bothersome was the statement that the majority of the students couldn't read the questions and didn't understand compound sentences.