Increasing self-esteem for vulnerable young women: A case study of entrepreneurship training for vulnerable young women in Thailand

Abstract

Disadvantaged young people who have experienced violence often have low self-esteem due to the difficult circumstances to which they are exposed. Abuse, bullying and other forms of mistreatment have a permanent impact on their sense of self-worth, generating negative emotions and self-protective behaviour in order to shield themselves from further harm. As a result, these young people may struggle to maintain their self-esteem in the context of the challenges they face. This article aims to explore how training can be used to combat this issue to build self-esteem among vulnerable young people, through a case study of a training entrepreneurship programme for vulnerable Thai young people residing in a home for girls. Through conducting a 16-week training programme and follow-up interviews, the study finds that entrepreneurship training has a positive effect on building self-esteem. Findings indicate that the young women who participated reported feeling more confident, with better self-reliance, and more capable of pursuing future endeavours, especially since the training enhances their understanding of long-term effects and outcomes, including employment and the impact of job creation and sustainable development. Ultimately, the study underlines the importance of entrepreneurship training to build self-esteem and confidence in young people who are vulnerable and in need of such an opportunity.