The Wages of Self-Esteem

Generation Y is getting into the work world, so watch what you say.

NPR's culture beat reports that the self-esteem generation, otherwise tagged as the "Me Generation" or "Generation Y," cannot take any forms of criticism. In fact, they need extreme dosages of encouragement and assurance to continually inflate their self worth.

In there younger years teachers threw out the red pens and competitive play (never play duck, duck, goose because someone may have to sit in the "pot"--and that would make them feel bad). Now that they are older their bosses must do the same. They feel they have to offer rewards for arriving on time, appoint an employee of the day, etc. Some companies are even going so far as to hire special agencies to help promote their employee's self esteem.

I guess we are reaping the consequences of having rejected the Bible's mandate to correct and discipline the child.

Encouragement is a high Christian virtue, but it is never to supplant or exceed corrections and admonitions. Neither is one's worth is not found in another person's words or inflated remarks. Personal dignity is inherent in one's personal nature: being made in the image of God.