TY - JOUR AU - Cottle , Thomas PY - 2003/11/01 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - The Role of Affirmation in the Development of the Self JF - Journal of Child and Youth Care Work JA - jcycw VL - 18 IS - SE - Articles DO - UR - http://acycpjournal.pitt.edu/ojs/jcycw/article/view/346 SP - 30-41 AB - This essay attempts to describe how the individual self is formed not only by others' perceptions of it, but also by the need of the self to be affirmed and thereby give confirmation to its sense of worth. Theoretically, the self must define itself both in relation to another self as well as apart from another self It employs objects partly to affirm itself and teach itself who it is. Through the affirmation of others, the self ultimately feels pride and a sense of liberation. It is argued, moreover, that affirmations render the boundaries between people distinct thereby making it posĀ­ sible for one to develop a sense of a true self Finally, the development of the self and the role of affirmation are put in the context of child and youth work. ER -