Resources: Quick guide to ... criticism

1 Never underestimate the destructive power criticism can have on young people. Many adults can still remember being stung by dismissive comments from adult authority figures when they were young. Many years later they have internalised that criticism as their own failings, believing, for instance, that they can't sing or do maths. Yet with support and encouragement they might have done both confidently.

2 A positive way to deal with criticism is to analyse it, making judgments about which elements are well founded and can be changed, and which are misinformed and can safely be ignored. The point is not to dismiss the suggestions aggressively or resentfully - we all have room for improvement. But neither do we want to believe it all without thinking, immerse ourselves in it and lower our self-respect. It can be helpful for young people to talk through criticism with someone they trust and draw their own conclusions.