Importance of adolescent confidence starts at home

By Sapna Rathod

A firm handshake, eye contact, and a natural pace of speech are ways to evoke confidence through body language. This is sometimes hard to fake in high school.

Mr. Bertenshaw, a teacher in the English department, feels strongly that every student has a reason to be confident.

“Kids these days are easily misled,” Bertenshaw said, “They lose a sense of independence and allow themselves to become dependent.”

Dora Callahan, Div. 259, believes that the high school experience can allow a person to become nervous.

“It was the beginning of freshman year when things were shaky,” said Callahan, “Only because I was new to how high school worked and it was really intimidating.”

A lack of confidence in adolescents is a reoccurring discussion. Counselors often believe that a lack of confidence can sometimes start straight from the home. If a child is criticized frequently by family members and friends, they eventually will begin to doubt themselves in everything they strive to achieve.

An anonymous junior has always felt that talking to her counselor is something that she would refrain from telling her friends.

“Sometimes I want to vent about things that I don’t want my friend’s knowing” said the anonymous student. “And I know the counselors are there so I can talk to them, but there’s just some things I would rather keep to myself.”

Mrs. Lori Dulberg, one of the 12 counselors at Lane, equates confidence with self-esteem.

“A lack of confidence can effect students motivation,” Dulberg said, “They can fear rejection, or even a lack of success. Eventually, it can turn into something self-destructive.”

Stephen Yoshida, Div. 250, feels a lack of confidence in his own talents.

“Other than being terrified of talking to girls, I lose a lot of confidence when I play guitar.” Yoshida said. “I know I’m good, but I know that at any moment, I can make an ugly mistake.”

Alejandro Serrano, Div. 269, has problems with his self-esteem on a weekly basis.

“When I sing every Sunday at church,” Serrano said, “I’m surrounded by many that sing very well, and I personally don’t think I’m really that good.”

Genamarie Wojtal, Div. 282, felt a strong lack in her confidence when she took a fashion design class in New York last summer.

“On the last day of class we had a final exhibition of the work we did over a month’s time,” Wojtal said. “I really did not want to put any of my work up because I felt it was not as good as some of the people in the class and I was embarrassed to have it displayed next to theirs.”

Ms. Langford, a psychology teacher, believes that no matter how confident a teenager can present themselves to their peers, every child has insecurities.

“Being popular doesn’t make you a secure kid,” Langford said, “Insecurities are powerful, no matter what.”

In a high school setting, some teachers hope they have a massive influence on the lives of their students.

Confidence can sometimes be an emotional roller coaster ride; everyone will have their ups and downs.

“If you got it, flaunt it.” Wojtal said.