May 2019 17
Teen Self-Esteem
Alchííní Dilzin (Respect and honor your children)
Elders taught that from birth, always speak good words and always have good thoughts about yourself through life, this gives one a good mind and healthy character. We are taught to set goals in life, short-term and long-term, this give us motivation to endure challenges. We build confidence and develop into a healthy individuals with help of our support networks, engaging and supporting us.
Our elders taught, “Don’t carry a heart of a crow,” have the strength and confidence to endure. “Work on being in love with the person in the mirror who has been through so much but is still standing.” Don’t be line someone else, be you, you are unique and one-of-a-kind. “As you get older, your confidence and wisdom increases, only if you let it. Those that weaken you, disappear.”
Faith-based teaches that, although we are IN the world, we are not OF the world. We demolish arguments and pretensions by taking our thoughts into captivity. The judgments we make-up in our thoughts about ourselves and others are not from the creator. We should doubt our thoughts and we should be quick to forgive.
If you’re struggling with low self-esteem or related issues, please call TEENLINE Confidential helpline that’s operated by teens, for teens. Call by phone, at 310-855-4673 or 800-852-8336, text “TEEN” to 839863, or visit their message board at TeenLineOnline.org.
Teen Pregnancy Prevention
Ámá Jí Líígó (Being a mother)
In our culture, we always refer to our elders and how they lived and understood life. At an early age, elders taught us prevention; it was taught that boys would never engage with girls, and vice versa. Protective space and boundaries were taught and never to be over stepped. There were harsh consequences if rules were not followed for both boys and girls. These teachings were given daily, to make sure children understood, continued through life.
Our elders were providing positive risk factors to prevent any harm to young male and young females. Understanding that the body does not fully develop until a certain age and it would not be acceptable for young children to begin in a relationship until they reached that appropriate age. “Navajo tradition is to begin a strong family foundation; however, you cannot do that unless you prepare the foundation. Wait until you’re ready, you are sacred.”
Faith-based teaches that sex is NOT love. It should only occur under the umbrella of marriage so when the woman becomes pregnant, the child would be born into a loving family and raised by both parents. Sex before marriage causes partners to become emotionally attached to each other, making it difficult to walk away from relationships that are toxic and/or abusive.
For more information visit:
https://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/news/teen-pregnancy-prevention-month/index.html