SELF-ESTEEM, SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND USE OF WELFARE SYSTEMS

I will simply use self-esteem as the ability of each person to face the difficult situations that we face from the knowledge of self and the confidence we have in ourselves. (NASW, 1999).

The power of self-esteem lies in the ability to deal with a social problem, analysing the possibilities that allows us to acknowledge ourselves and the reality that surrounds us. Understanding the concept of self-esteem raises a series of questions including the geographical area, different ages, races, cultural background and social structures.

Social workers help people overcome changes in societies brought about by social problems like dysfunctional families, chronic conditions like HIV/AIDS, marital problems, divorces, sexual abuse, human trafficking, drug abuse and so forth. In relation to this article, welfare systems are our existing social structures given in an average community like families, schools, hospitals, churches and justice and so on.

The concern is not based on  how relevant are our welfare systems, but on how much support and guidance do  these systems give clients in developing cognitive skills that will enable them to identify and be able to solve their problems in a confident manner. Resulting in eagerness to access these welfare services. At a personal level, this scenario has also given me a non-standard thought to explore these issues further, as it intersects with my own privilege, experiences and sense of knowledge as a social worker.

Research studies are now focusing more on psychosocial characteristics like self-esteem in order to come up with relevant and satisfactory welfare programmes like rehabilitation. A client’s background, cultural  values, beliefs, just  to name a few factors, are now high on the scale when thinking of intervention to most social problems. Most findings assume that low self-esteem is often associated with beneficiaries who find it harder to comply with policies and mandates offered by such institutions.

The argument would be: Are recipients psychosocially equipped or mature to act accordingly? Self-esteem focuses on relating to our being and the meaning of our self-worth. So, lack of it can affect our way of being, acting in the world and relating to others, in our way of thinking, feeling, decision-making and action. The author proposes to present a high self-esteem as a strategy of mutual aid to persons affected by factors like social maladjustment, social rejection and social injustice in any given society.

An individual can be taught early in life on confidence that boosts self-esteem by being consistently reminded that; he has positive qualities and should embrace them daily, accept that he might not have desirable qualities and need to accept it, believe in self-worth and improve relationships with loved ones. Additionally, the focus should also be directed on how other people perceive him and the environment he lives in.

In attempting to deal with most social problems, both locally and regionally, support schemes or community programmes should be designed in such a way that persons who have been deprived of self-esteem due to social ills like; child abuse, human trafficking, prostitution, violence against women, young people affected by addictions, and so on, receive assessments and services geared to boost self-image, promote opportunities and do away with negative professional attitudes and  behaviours that may limit a client’s ability.

The belief is that, if some welfare services take into consideration clients’ feelings, thoughts and perceptions, a number of positive issues will promote clients to use available welfare services adequately and comply with their relevant mandate. Everyone needs to feel valued, loved and accepted by others.

Conclusively, individuals with a healthy self-esteem feel good about themselves, appreciate their own worth and are proud of their skills, abilities and achievements. People with a low self-esteem feel that they are not able to achieve their goals, which are usually not ‘accepted’ by anyone. They are prone to chronic ill health, mental health challenges like depression, isolation and rejection.

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