What is dignity?
Growing up, our caregivers often try to teach us the values and morals that we will take with us for a lifetime. Some are universal, such as treating others how you'd like to be treated, while others are more specific to certain families, customs, or religions. One such concept many people grow up learning about is dignity.
Though you might not know how to describe it in detail, many people possess dignity and value it daily. The word dignity is an important term in understanding our relationships with others and how we view ourselves. Treating oneself and others with fairness, compassion, and understanding can help promote great dignity and human equality in the world.
What is dignity?
Dignity may form an essential part of our self-image as it deals with concepts such as self-worth, respect, and right vs. wrong. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines dignity in these three ways:
- Formal reserve or seriousness of manner, appearance, or language
- The quality or state of being worthy, honored, or esteemed
- A high rank, office, or position
These three definitions of dignity highlight its multifaceted nature, encompassing both internal and external attributes. It encompasses the way we carry ourselves with poise and seriousness, the inherent sense of worth and esteem we hold, and the respect we garner through our social standing or position. Together, these aspects contribute to a comprehensive understanding of dignity as fundamental to our self-image and interactions with others. However, these definitions may also have limitations.
The first definition
This definition of dignity suggests seriousness, poise, and restraint in the way a person appears and communicates. It emphasizes the importance of behaving or presenting oneself with a thoughtful and controlled demeanor that commands respect and admiration from others.
The first definition of dignity describes the outward perception of our personality, looks, and communication skills. It may ignore the idea that dignity must come from within. It may also present a false notion that dignity is something that we can "turn on" at any moment.
The first definition could cause us to view dignity as a product of what others praise about us. However, the widely-accepted meaning of dignity often has more to do with personal actions and how you might view yourself and others.
The second definition
The second definition describes the concept of dignity as consisting of subjective ideas like worth, honor, and self-esteem. We might associate the idea of dignity with concepts like honor or morality that are purposeful, deliberate, and trained.
Though the second definition of dignity touches on the keywords close to the first definition, it may ignore the idea that worth, honor, and self-esteem can be developed inside of us. The quality of being dignified cannot be given to us by someone else, and when we look to others to create dignity within us, it may be similar to looking to someone else to determine our self-worth.
The third definition
The third definition, although limited, focuses on one's social status or rank, which can be respected by society for the sake of maintaining order and laws. While the third definition may be an acceptable definition of dignity by society's standards, it might not help us uncover the true meaning of dignity within us, which is not solely based on one's rank or societal position. Individuals can be dignified without status or rank.
For example, some individuals believe that someone could have dignity because they are a police officer, political official, or celebrity. However, their personal actions and beliefs may not coincide with the stereotypes of how they should behave in their career, and their title does not necessarily make them dignified.
The true meaning of dignity
Being dignified is often more than what we look like or how others see us. Dignity is something that may develop inside of us. Being dignified is something that many people choose to be mindful of daily.
The core principles of dignity may include the following:
- Self-worth
- Self-esteem
- Self-love
- Self-appreciation
- Self-care
- Self-confidence
Notice how all these elements of dignity begin with the word "self." It may be due to dignity being an internal process within the self. No matter how much appreciation or love someone else gives us or how dignified they treat us, it may not be a solid foundation for our own sense of dignity.
Discovering the true meaning of dignity and building a healthy sense of dignity within ourselves can take time and patience. Take time to work on the elements of dignity one by one. Each of these elements is explored in detail below.
Self-worth
Self-worth is a measure of how much we value ourselves. It is a form of dignity that can require understanding what makes us unique, why we matter, and why we deserve love. We may discover our self-worth by actively seeking out what makes us feel we matter and are happy when all outside influences disappear.
For example, someone may find self-worth from volunteering for a cause they believe in or taking up a new hobby.
Self-esteem
Self-esteem is often closely related to self-worth. It can stem from the attitudes, feelings, and opinions that we hold about ourselves. It may appear as an internal voice that tells us, "you are/are not good enough."
When we have low self-esteem, our dignity may be impacted too. Self-esteem may be improved when we silence our inner critic and find reasons to challenge its logic.
Partaking in activities that cause you to feel more positively about yourself may improve self-esteem, such as:
- Mindfulness
- Meditation
- Yoga
Self-love
Self-love can be defined as appreciating and accepting oneself as you are and recognizing areas in which you can grow. Increasing our self-love requires us to put ourselves first at times. We may prioritize our well-being physically, emotionally, and mentally, showing dignity to ourselves and others.
The first step to self-love may often involve forgiving ourselves for past mistakes. We might also learn how to turn off the voice that says we are not good enough or do not deserve the dignity of being loved by ourselves.
You might improve self-love by practicing affirmations or daily mantras, such as:
- "I am worthy of love."
- "I am beautiful."
- "I appreciate my willingness to work on my mental health."
- "I deserve kindness and patience from myself and others."
Self-appreciation
When someone goes out of their way to be kind to us, we often show appreciation. At times, the situation may require a "thank you." Other times, we may buy them a gift or spend quality time with them as a sign of gratitude.
Appreciation isn't just for others; we can shower ourselves with this gift, too. Anytime you do something that is successful or drives you forward, or when you do something that makes you feel good, take a second to thank yourself for doing something that benefits your well-being.
Self-care
Self-care may go hand in hand with self-love. However, self-care is often the action behind self-love. Love is something that we can feel, and care is an action we can take.
We may show self-care physically, for example, by getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising. Emotional and mental self-care can be achieved by practicing kindness, meditating, or reflecting on the great things in our life.
Self-confidence
Self-confidence is often the idea that we can achieve whatever we set our hearts and minds to. It may not be based on the belief that we will be successful in everything we do but on the understanding that even if we are not successful in a particular endeavor, we will be okay.
It can require positivity, motivation, and an inner desire to keep moving forward. Self-confidence can be achieved by developing a "can do" attitude.
For example, you may work to understand that failures can be a part of a more significant journey and that setbacks do not necessarily require us to give up altogether. Instead, they may be an invitation to learn and either try again or move on.
Recognizing and building dignity
Some individuals grow up with a strong sense of dignity, while others may develop it over time as an adult. Building it may begin with healing from your past and committing to a better future that you can be proud of. It can also look like learning more about yourself and staying true to your boundaries and morals.
Since dignity is often personal, it may look different for everyone. What feels dignified to one person may not feel so to another, and vice versa. When you develop a sense of dignity within yourself, it can become a strong foundation that you can stand on every day. This foundation will likely include values such as human equality and cherishing freedom.
In various aspects of life, people may show dignity in different ways. For instance, women and men alike have displayed dignity in the face of adversity, standing up for their rights and freedoms. Others may have shown dignity to someone with personal struggles, such as those facing illness or death. Treating people with fairness and kindness, regardless of their background or status, reflects a dignified approach to all aspects of life.
As you build a dignified life, you may experience ripple effects. Acting with dignity could lead to several positives, such as higher self-esteem, self-worth, and self-love.
Counseling to strengthen your sense of dignity
At times, we may feel that we need help when building our sense of dignity. If that is the case for you, speaking to a professional might offer you much-needed support. Many individuals opt to try online therapy, as it has become more popular for those who enjoy easy browsing from home.
Online therapy can be a helpful resource for removing shame and building one's sense of dignity. One study showed how internet-based CBT successfully treated anxiety disorders by reducing levels of shame. This effect may be because of what online therapy provides that many traditional therapy options do not.
An essential aspect of building dignity can be removing the barriers that keep you from loving yourself. Sometimes, this involves healing from a shameful past and positively viewing yourself in a new light. If you're interested in trying therapy, you might reach out to a counselor on a platform such as BetterHelp, which has a vast database of therapists available.
Takeaway
Dignity can be understood from a moral, philosophical, or ethical standpoint. It may have a prominent place in your life, affecting your decisions daily. Dignity may be something you feel, but it's not something you must develop entirely on your own.
Online therapy may assist you in learning more about yourself so that you can lead a life that more closely honors your values. If you're interested in trying therapy, consider taking the first step by reaching out to a counselor.
What is the real meaning of dignity?
There are many definitions of dignity, and it can encompass many things. According to the Cambridge University Press, human dignity is “the ability to establish a sense of self-worth and self-respect and to enjoy the respect of others.” Dignity can be defined as the worth and respect every human deserves, but it can also be very personal. Being dignified is something that may be inside of us, and it can be a choice we make daily.
What are examples of dignity?
Some examples of dignity may include self-esteem, self-love, self-worth, self-appreciation, self-confidence, and self-care. Self-esteem can stem from the feelings and attitudes we have about ourselves. Activities like yoga, exercise, or mindfulness can help boost self-esteem. Improving self-worth, or how much we value ourselves, can help improve self-esteem, too. Self-love is when we appreciate and accept ourselves for who we are and put ourselves first. It also involves forgiving ourselves for our mistakes and believing we are good enough. Self-care can be the physical actions you take to show self-love, while self-appreciation involves taking the time to thank yourself for doing something that benefits your well-being. Finally, self-confidence is the possibility that we can accomplish what we set our minds to and that we'll be okay even if we don’t.
What does “people of dignity” mean?
This phrase may be most commonly used when talking about robbing people of dignity. When used in this sense, it can mean that people are deprived of their humanity or not treated with the respect they deserve. Underprivileged groups, like incarcerated people, those who live in poverty, or people with dementia, may be more likely to feel that they are being robbed of their dignity.
How do we show dignity?
There are many ways to show dignity. Sometimes, all it takes is simple actions, like saying please and thank you, and it can be apparent in how we treat others. More examples of showing dignity include trying to see the world through other people’s eyes and understanding their perspective. Take the high road when others don’t play fair, but try to respect other people’s opinions.
How important is dignity in life?
Dignity is essential in life as it can affect nearly everything we do, from ensuring equal rights in the community to how we look at justice. Matters of dignity may show up in the context of home, work, and school. It can be an important part of how we treat people and feel about ourselves.
What words describe dignity?
Some words that can describe dignity include respect, integrity, honor, virtue, decency, reverence, and prestige.
What is dignity in one sentence?
Dignity can simply be described as having a strong sense of self worth and self respect and believing that others have worth and deserve respect as well.
What is a simple sentence for dignity?
Dignity can also be expressed as a person's right to be respected and valued.
How do you maintain your dignity?
Just because we have an established sense of dignity doesn’t mean we don’t need help maintaining it occasionally. A possible way to do so is to continually work on loving yourself, though this isn’t always easy. If you need help healing from events of the past or overcoming present challenges that may be interfering with your sense of dignity, talking to a therapist can help.
What is the respect and dignity of a person?
The respect and dignity meaning can vary. For example, it can mean how a person feels about themselves on the inside or the inherent right that people have to be treated with kindness and value.
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