Developing Assertiveness and Overcoming Fear of Rejection

Teenagers and older men often struggle with assertiveness, but it's important to teach them. The lack of assertiveness is often shamed, especially by fathers, which drives young men to retreat to their mothers. To address this, we should reward and celebrate assertive actions instead of focusing on the lack thereof. For instance, when my son only did 20% of what I needed him to do, I chose to encourage and affirm the 20% he did well, which led to an increase in his performance. Helping them overcome the fear of rejection and training them to take small actions can also develop assertive reflexes. Being assertive expands your horizons and gives you more options in life. Through these practices, my son has learned the importance of being proactive and assertive and has seen the positive impact it has on his life. Therefore, we should focus on rewarding assertiveness to see more of it.