Certainly, Jeri, I agree that the social structure disempowers people, but what I was objecting to was the phrase "liking oneself". Abraham Lincoln didn't like himself -- he was riddled with self-doubt. St. Teresa of Avila despised herself, and still went cheerfully around beating up all the lesser men in her vicinity. Did Marie Curie go around worrying about her self-esteem? The big things often seem to be done by people who feel they are totally unworthy, but have no choice.

Also, liking oneself and believing in oneself are not the same thing at all. I can believe that I am capable of doing something, even though I am a stupid jerk and pretty hopeless, if no one else will. But even if you don't believe in yourself, you can believe in God or the righteousness of your cause. That tends to be how people gather up the courage to do things in spite of how weakly they envisage themselves.

moonchild, you should read some Germaine Greer some time -- I was being kind when I spoke of her "failings" -- I have heard her in public speak of "what kind of fucking lunacy made me do that?".

yours, Peter T.