Publication Date

2013

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

First Advisor

Leslie Turpin

Abstract

The suicide rate among Japanese youth has been dramatically increasing over the last decade due to the downturn economy and their lack of sense of self-worth. In this qualitative action research, the author introduces the concept of self-compassion to Japanese youth in a content-based English classroom as an attempt to raise their sense of self-worth. The research shows that self-compassion has a possibility of providing Japanese young people with more rational perceptions of themselves, creating an emotionally supportive environment, and allowing them to develop their self-awareness. The author concludes that it is this development of self-awareness that can raise the sense of self-worth, and English classrooms have a possibility of providing a place for this process. Additionally, the research reaffirms that the presence of compassionate others is also important to enhance the sense of self-worth.

Disciplines

Japanese Studies

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