I gotta share something with you:
Depending on your age, empathy can be called different terms. While adults may say “Empathy” our youth may say “Feels”. Whatever we call it, Empathy is our ability to understand and share feelings of others. Human Beings are programmed to be empathetic. It is Empathy that, some feel, sets us apart from other species. It can be nurtured, modeled, and taught. The more we practice empathy, the more developed is our potential for more empathy. The more empathetic personality we develop, the greater gift we are to a positive peaceful family of man. We become more protective, we become more understanding, we become more loyal and a more rounded human being. There are studies being done that say the Baby Boomers are the last generation to have the highest empathy and that the children of today lack high levels of compassion and empathy.
It is not hard to guess that technological components are linked to why this is happening. Long hours spent on computers, and in gaming, is taking away the one-on-one interactions that help to develop empathy. Along with comes emotional intelligence and the ability to be socially adept. Social skills are being lost. Children, of today, are all about Selfies and social interactions are being confined to Snapchat, to Instagram, and our kids are being addicted to things that stunt their social growth. Studies are showing that there is a propensity for less caring, less compassionate, interactions.
“You don’t learn emotional literacy facing a screen. You don’t learn emotional literacy with emojis” -Dr. Michele Borba, Educational psychologist and parenting expert.
She found that college students are 40% less empathetic, compared to their peers 30 years ago. Narcissism increased by 58%. Bullying is rising in educational arenas. She speaks and writes of the “Selfie Syndrome” adding to the lack of empathy and creating more of a problem because of the rise of Celebrity culture, hyper-competitive parenting, materialistic ethos, and the elimination of time for kids to play like kids. What do parents, grandparents, those who care about children, do?
I have met many children who exhibit empathy, compassion, and actively display such. I have raised my own children and see how they are truly empathetic and compassionate. I see my grandchildren display such, as well. I believe babies are born with the gift of empathy. Newborn babies react to another crying newborn. A toddler will cry if another cries. They also react to a mother or others crying. I think it is up parents, and all of us to model and nurture that gift of empathy.
So here is what might help develop empathy, compassion and awareness. Make sure our children have lots of face-to-face interactions. Model care of others, give them an opportunity to express feelings for self and others. Engage in conversations, sharing stories, and telling stories of family compassion and empathy. Having children have pets to care for can teach empathy. Nurturing empathy for others in the family. I believe we have to do everything we can to help them interact with nature, with animals, with others, is what is going to heal the world.
I care.
©Carol Desjarlais 9.16.25
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