Self-Esteem Movement

I don’t have any children in school, so I was amazed to read the Jan. 25 story about “self-esteem” classes offered in school. What are we doing? Creating narcissism? A bunch of prima donnas? Uttering the words “I love you” and “I am beautiful” does not make it so. Saying “I am beautiful” is narcissistic at best; “I love you” has meaning only when it comes from the heart.

Can the money spent on this farce be better spent somewhere else and, if not, could I apply for a teacher job, because “I am wonderfully handsome and incredibly intelligent.” I also “love all of you.”

I sure feel good now.

RONALD E. HOHN

Los Angeles

Of all the dumb things I have read, I think this one tops them all--for a psychology professor from Carnegie Mellon University to make such statements about self-esteem and how enforcing it is actually harmful to students.

Any sensible person knows that when people (at any age) feel confident, have self-respect and feel good about themselves, they will not always succeed at first but will know in their hearts that they tried with all their might and will eventually be quite successful. There are many ways to encourage children and teach them in positive ways. Why not do it?

FRANCES TERRELL LIPPMAN

Los Angeles

So, let me get this straight. Educators have finally figured out that feeling bad about knowing something is better than feeling good about knowing nothing?

JOHN M. HAYTOL

Newport Beach