Inside Self-Esteem

Article 1: What Is a Blended Family? Blended families also known as stepfamilies form when two separate families unite after one or both parents remarry or re-partner. These families are becoming increasingly common, with millions of children in the U.S. living in households with stepparents, stepsiblings, or half-siblings. Blended families face unique challenges. Children may struggle with loyalty conflicts between biological and stepparents. Parents may experience difficulty balancing affection, authority, and boundaries. Even holidays and birthdays can be complicated by custody schedules and new family traditions. Despite these hurdles, blended families can thrive. The key is open communication, patience, and a willingness to grow together. According to Papernow (2013), most blended families take years not months to fully adjust to new roles and relationships. With time and understanding, many families not only adapt but grow stronger together. Blended families are not broken—t...

Gender roles are influenced by biology and the cultural and historical contexts in which individuals are raised. Throughout the Black community, these roles reflect a legacy of systemic oppression, resilience, and strong family dynamics. In contrast to mainstream narratives that often promote rigid gender norms, gender identity and expectations among Black individuals tend to be more adaptive and deeply rooted in cultural experience. Historical events such as slavery, segregation, and systemic racism have a crucial role in shaping gender roles in Black families and the black community. During slavery, family structures were deliberately disrupted, and both Black men and women were forced into roles defined by external control (Collins, 2000). After being emancipated, many Black families developed matriarchal structures out of necessity and strength, placing women in key leadership positions within the home and community (Hill, 1999). In Black households, gender socialization frequentl...

  Summary of Blog Content: For this discussion assignment, I created a blog that focused on self-esteem during the ages. The blog includes four articles , each addressing a key aspect of self-esteem as it develops and influences young people: Understanding Self-Esteem in Adolescents This article defines self-esteem and explains its significance during adolescence, a time of significant identity formation. It examines internal and external influences on self-esteem, such as peer relationships, body image, and family dynamics. The Role of Social Media in Shaping Adolescent Self-Esteem I will discuss the positive and negative effects of social media on adolescents' self-esteem. Although platforms can offer connection and validation, they can also promote unrealistic standards and comparisons. Self-Esteem and Academic Achievement This post demonstrates the relationship between self-esteem and school performance. I...