Boosting Self-Esteem

Although I feel strongly about a number of issues, I have never been incensed enough to write a letter to the editor until I read in the newspaper that welfare recipients, in order to eliminate embarrassment at the checkstand and, thereby, boost their self-esteem, will begin to receive cash vouchers instead of food stamps.

What is the San Diego County Board of Supervisors thinking?

I agree that low self-esteem is a serious problem and contributes to delinquency, the dropout rate, drug and alcohol abuse, murder and rape. However, any psychologist or psychiatrist will tell you that high self-esteem is not something that’s gained overnight. It starts the day you’re born and is related to how you are treated by your parents, your teachers, your educational level, etc.

Giving people cash instead of food stamps isn’t going to help raise anyone’s self-esteem.

Our welfare dollars would be much better spent in educational, job-training or child-care programs so that people feel they are contributing members of society rather than taking handouts, whether it be cash or food stamps.

FRANCES WENDT

Chula Vista