Self-image

Life orientation

Grade 8

Self-esteem

Lodule 1

Self-image

Hi there!

Have you ever had the feeling that you do not quite belong? I'm talking real life here. For example: a thirteen year old attends a party where everybody else is over 20 years old. Most thirteen year olds will feel a bit uncomfortable, don't you think?

At the start of your high school career, some of you may feel unsure about where you belong. At the end of last year, you were the "big brothers and sisters" of the primary section. Now, you are at the bottom of the pecking order again! What may complicate things further is the fact that some of you may be more mature than others - and you want to hook up with the older kids - but they are wary and still checking you out. That's when one wonders: Where do I belong?

It is crucial at times like these that you have a strongly positive, but realistic self-image. Your self-image is what you think of yourself .

A person's self image is formed by what other people say to you and about you - and also how they act towards you. The people who initially influence your life are your family members. When you go to school, your teacher's opinion and those of your class mates become important to you. When you are a teenager, the opinions of your friends are extremely important to you. Other factors kick in: What do I look like? Am I smaller or bigger than my friends? Do we have the same status? Am I clever? Am I good at sport? Am I popular?

At this stage of your life you are inclined to measure your own worth according to standards which the peer group sets - and which are enforced by the media (You are what you wear...). That is part of life. But if you are one of those rare individualists

who believes in doing your own thing - it is a good idea to master and practise the art of positive self talk. But more about this later.

Group discussion

Guidelines to help the group discussion succeed

• Take turns to speak.
• When one person is speaking, everyone else listens.
• Keep each contribution short so that everyone can participate.
• Help the shyer group members by asking them questions.
• It is natural to have different viewpoints, but respect each person's opinion.
• Keep the time allocated for this discussion in mind.

TOPIC FOR DISCUSSION:In which ways does this year differ from last year? How do you feel about the changes or differences? After the discussion

• What did you learn? Mmmm...
• Was it a successful discussion?
• Did everyone participate?
• Write yes or no and give the reasons .

In writing...

Write your own observations and feelings on the discussion topic. What do you experience as the biggest change and how does that make you feel?

This is the way I changed...

Make use of words and sketches to show how you changed.

• Show the changes by drawing blocks, clouds or any other forms that represent you at three-year intervals in your life.
• Be as creative as you want to be.
• Different colours and shapes will make your work interesting and fun.

To complete the activity above, you relied mostly on your right brain functions (the more creative side). Now use a structured approach to give the same kind of information. Your left brain functions are more structured and logical. Here is an example below. Complete it, please.