Self-Esteem Movement

In response to “Self-Esteem Movement Gains Mainstream Respect,” Feb. 12:

A strong self-image. This is Assemblyman John Vasconcellos’ (D-Santa Clara) panacea for living a productive, moral and law-abiding life. While everyone could use more self-esteem, this is a superficial solution to the difficult challenges that people, especially youth, face today.

Increased self-esteem will not make health care more affordable and accessible to the underserved. Nor will it build better schools for California’s children. Not unless state government officials use their newfound self-esteem to allocate more resources into these areas. Maybe then the self-esteem movement will gain my respect.

SUN HYUNG LEE

Los Angeles

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* Self-esteem need not be earned, as witnessed by the arrogance of lucky achievers in music, arts, sports, business and political arenas. Tall people play better basketball, prettier people become news anchors and actors, heirs of family fortunes become presidential timber and shrinks coin fat fees by coining catchy phrases.

Unearned self-esteem, as mentioned in your article, will more than likely prove to be delusionary. It is a tough world out there, and few will become celebrated artists or corporate moguls or even writers for The Times. Most people will have to resort to hard work in school and hard work in the workplace, and that effort will provide self-esteem. (A loving and hard-working companion also helps, and one must not overlook the succor provided by an occasional government handout).

Not every news source shares the optimism reflected in your article. The Feb. 19 U.S. News & World Report quotes from a review of studies on crime and aggression in a publication titled Psychological Review which “ .J.J. finds virtually no evidence linking violence to low self-image” and suggests that “high self-esteem may be the culprit.”

I am certainly happy that I am not one of the self-esteem needy.

JOSEPH A. DENKER