Since I've struggled with low self-esteem since early childhood, and done a lot of work to overcome it, I've noticed something about people. I teach school also, middle school grades. With both the adolescents as well as my peers, I've noticed that people who have never had this struggle, often seem to lack empathy, or even concern for others. I don't mean to make a blanket statement about this, but I truly have observed this so much. On the one hand, I have often wished I had never had to struggle with this, but on the other hand, I've worked very hard, educating myself as to the reasons for it. I see a lot of kids being raised to think only of themselves...adults too!
Maybe I'm not expressing this very well, but my struggle to overcome low self-esteem has been one of introspection and hard work, in which I think I've achieved a balance that includes empathy, fairness, and caring for others. It feels to me, though maybe I'm mistaken, that many people lack this quality.
Patty