Beyond Self-Esteem : Narratives of Self-Knowledge and Devotion to Others

by Cottle, Thomas J.

• ISBN13: 9780820467184
• ISBN10: 0820467189
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-06-01
• Publisher: Peter Lang Pub Inc

Summary

In "Beyond Self-Esteem, Thomas J. Cottle argues that America's preoccupation with notions of self-esteem and self-regard not only does not reflect the fundamental nature of the self, but leads to selfish behavior and an inability to devote one's self no friendships. The self, Cottle writes, is predicated on social relationships and, more specifically, on the affirmation each of us offers to the other, as well as the degree of responsibility we find ourselves willing to take for one another. It is Cottle's contention, reinforced by his theoretical positions and by the narrative accounts of children and adults alike, that affirmation of and the assumption of responsibility for other people remain the most ethical human actions.

Author Biography

Thomas J. Cottle is Professor of Education at Boston University.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	ix
PART I
Beyond Self-esteem	1	(34)
PART II Narratives of Children
Just a Memory	35	(10)
Two Big Voices	45	(5)
Call It Mother	50	(4)
The School Problem	54	(4)
The Same Old Me, Only Slightly Different	58	(4)
Sister of the Billion-dollar Brain	62	(3)
Mommy, Am I Pretty?	65	(4)
An Extra-wide Mommy	69	(5)
Going to My Mother's Wedding	74	(7)
PART III
The Self Affirmed	81	(26)
PART IV Narratives of Adults
Booth Story	107	(8)
Friday Afternoon Jew	115	(5)
Your Basic Expatriate	120	(3)
A Mother, a Father, a Santa Claus, and Allen Woody	123	(4)
Judy Kreston and the Magnificent Seven	127	(3)
Mere Acquaintances	130	(4)
A Single Regret	134	(4)
Insurance Claim	138	(3)
Coming Face to Face with the Secret Self	141	(4)
The Question	145	(2)
Lady with the Invisible Limp	147	(4)
For Patriotic Reasons	151	(3)
Final Destination	154	(5)
PART V
The Devoted Self	159	(22)
Notes	181	(12)
References	193