Title: Why People Are Not Assertive | SkillsYouNeed
Headings: 
Why People Are Not Assertive
Reasons People are Not Assertive
Low Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence
Feelings of low self-esteem or self-worth often lead to individuals dealing with other people in a passive way.
Roles
Past Experience
Stress
When people are stressed they often feel like they have little or no control over the events their lives.
Personality Traits
Assertiveness Rights and Responsibilities
An individual's assertive rights should always include:
Further Reading from Skills You Need
Our Communication Skills eBooks
Negotiation and Co-operation
Being assertive does not mean that individual wishes are automatically granted: you will not always get what you want.

Content: We all have a right to express our feelings, values and opinions. Reasons People are Not Assertive
Low Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence
Feelings of low self-esteem or self-worth often lead to individuals dealing with other people in a passive way. By not asserting their rights, expressing their feelings or stating clearly what they want, those with low self-esteem or self-confidence may invite others to treat them in the same way. Low self-esteem is reinforced in a vicious circle of passive response and reduced self-confidence. See or pages on Building Confidence and Self-Esteem for more information. Roles
Certain roles are associated with non-assertive behaviour, for example low status work roles or the traditional role of women. Stereotypically, women are seen as passive, while men are expected to be more aggressive. There can be great pressure on people to conform to the roles that are placed upon them. You may be less likely to be assertive to your boss at work than you would be to a colleague or co-worker who you considered to be at an equal or lower level than you in the organisation. Past Experience
Many people learn to respond in a non-assertive way through experience or through modelling their behaviour on that of parents or other role models.