Correlation is not causation :P. Mr. Rogers is more likely just another symptom of the "everybody is special" culture underlying this. Personally, I think it's

Correlation is not causation :P. Mr. Rogers is more likely just another symptom of the "everybody is special" culture underlying this. Personally, I think it's less to do with upbringing and "positive self-esteem" and more to do with a (globalised western) culture of celebrity and narcissism. Less Mr. Rogers than American Idol, in my opinion.