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

Abstract

AbstractDisadvantaged 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.