During adolescence, young people are still in the process of forming their identity. Family plays a significant role in this process. When parents take their adolescent child's opinions seriously, especially in decisions that affect the whole family, they send a strong signal that the child's views matter. Psychological research has long shown that teenagers who feel heard and respected by their parents have healthier and more stable self-esteem. Conversely, when adolescents feel excluded from family decision-making, they may gradually internalize the sense that their opinion is not sufficiently relevant, which can, over time, undermine their self-esteem. Research on parenting styles repeatedly shows that parents who listen to and involve their children in decision-making raise individuals with healthier self-esteem than parents who are either overly controlling or, conversely, largely absent from their child's emotional life. If a high degree of decision-making [autonomy] results from a parent's absence or lack of interest, it can even lead to risky behavior among adolescents; the process of involving them in decision-making must therefore take place within a safe and supervised environment.
The chart showing results from the third wave of the CZPES survey is consistent with these findings. In autumn 2025, 18,728 students responded to questions about self-esteem and involvement in decision-making. Among teenagers with high self-esteem, only 16% stated that they "somewhat" or "strongly disagree" with the statement that their parents listen to their opinions in family decision-making, while among those with low self-esteem this proportion is 31%. Conversely, the largest share of students who "strongly agree" with the statement is found among those with high self-esteem, making up nearly half (48%), compared to 26% among those in the lower self-esteem group. The most numerous category in all three self-esteem groups consists of those who "somewhat agree" with the statement. Even here, however, the tendencies noted above are reflected. Although a range of other factors also influence individuals' self-esteem, it can be said that the extent to which adolescents are listened to at home is likewise reflected in their self-esteem.
