The idea that one must love themselves before they can effectively love others is a longstanding pop psychological mantra. While often encountered in self-help literature and cultural media, this belief can be misleading. It has roots in both Eastern philosophies and humanistic psychology, notably emphasized by figures like Carl Rogers. Historical trends, particularly during the self-help boom, reinforced the notion that self-love is critical for relationships. However, research suggests that the capacity to love others does not require perfect self-love, prompting a reevaluation of widely accepted self-help notions.
The belief that self-love is a prerequisite for loving others draws from psychology and popular culture, but its interpretation can be problematic.
Research indicates that we don't need to be perfectly self-loving to love or be loved, challenging common self-help mantras.
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