Someone on Twitter regularly posts

• We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.

Brian says:

While the quote is mostly about discipline, which I won’t comment on, it could appear to value self esteem as a bad thing; as a soft way out.

Self esteem is about seeing value in yourself.  Praise and achievement can contribute and self-discipline may be part of that achievement.  If someone is strong and breaks the law, the problem is the law-breaking, not the strength.

I encourage people to overcome their low self-esteem.  It involves honestly facing and accepting their strengths ans weaknesses, opportunities and threats.  That does not give them permission to break laws or demean others.

If a lack of discipline has created unruly children, don’t pretend it was justified to make them feel good about themselves.  It’s good for people to feel good about themselves AND other thigns can be achieved too.

My fellow twitterer further commented as follows.  “<>” means does not equal to

• We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.<> When they lose they don’t get a trophy-They DEAL WITH IT & try harder the next time!

Apparently it’s a quote from Billy Graham.