Why does our society maximize love while minimizing self-love ?

There are a number of reasons why our culture tends to place more emphasis on loving others than on loving oneself. First off, from an early age, we are frequently taught that putting our own needs and wants first is selfish or even egotistical. Cultural and religious beliefs that place a high priority on altruism and service to others might support this notion. Taking care of and supporting others is crucial, yet doing so might leave us with the impression that doing so is selfish or immoral.

In addition, love is frequently associated in our culture with pain and sacrifice. We are told that genuine love entails sacrificing our own needs and ambitions in order to give everything we have to the other person. This may lead to the notion that loving oneself is selfish or somehow limits our ability to love others. This may be especially harmful for those who are in violent or unstable relationships because they could feel that they have to keep putting their own needs last in order to satisfy their partner's needs.Our culture places a high priority on performance and productivity, which can cause us to put external approval and success ahead of our own wellbeing. It may be challenging to put ourselves first and prioritize self-care and self-love when we are under continual pressure to succeed and live up to others' expectations. As a result, we may feel like we are continuously working toward achievement without taking the time to look after ourselves. This can cause feelings of burnout and discontent.

Our culture's tendency to romanticize the image of the "martyr" or the "selfless hero" is another element that influences our society's preference for love for others above love for oneself. Those who put everything on the line for the sake of others, even if it means risking their own lives and wellbeing, are admired and emulated, it is taught to us. While in some circumstances this type of selflessness might be wonderful, it can also leave us with the impression that caring for ourselves is weak or insignificant.

Society frequently places a great priority on outward recognition and physical attractiveness. It can be challenging to put our personal wellbeing and self-care first because we can feel pressure to live up to particular beauty standards or to project a specific image to the outside world. As a result, we could have poor self-esteem and feelings of unworthiness because we might feel like we are continuously looking for outside validation and acceptance.The way our culture frequently regards mental health and self-care also adds to our society's preference for self-love above love for others. Many people may feel ashamed or embarrassed to prioritize their own mental health and well-being since there is still a lot of stigma associated with mental health disorders. This might make it challenging to ask for assistance and support when we need it, which can result in feelings of helplessness.