Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It is a fundamental human emotion that allows us to connect with each other and build strong relationships. However, in recent years, it seems that empathy has been on the decline, in fact The Personality and Social Psychology Review found that Levels of empathy fell by 48% between 1979 and 2009.
I see it all too often, probably more so since I became a parent…
Parent: Gosh I’m finding things tough at the moment; I’m worried about being able to afford to feed my family with the current cost-of-living crisis.
Society: Well, maybe you shouldn’t have had kids if you can’t afford them!
Parent: It’s frustrating when people with no kids park in the parent and child spaces
Society: Well why should I have to walk all the way across the car park? What gives you more right to park right by the door?
Parent: I’m really tired right now, my baby seems to want to feed all night long and I can’t seem to do anything about it.
Society: They’re using you as a dummy, you shouldn’t have been feeding them, just leave them to cry.
There are several factors that may be contributing to this decline. One factor is the rise of social media. Social media can be a great way to stay connected with friends and family, but it can also be a breeding ground for negativity, insecurity and division.
Another reason is that individualism is rising in the Western world. According to Psychological Science, “individualist cultures tend to conceive of people as self-directed and autonomous, and they tend to prioritize independence and uniqueness as cultural values. Collectivist cultures, on the other hand, tend to see people as connected with others and embedded in a broader social context – as such, they tend to emphasize interdependence, family relationships, and social conformity.”
The decline of empathy is a serious problem. Empathy is essential for building strong relationships and creating a more just and compassionate world.
As parents and people working in the parenting space, I believe we have the power to reverse the decline of empathy.
Empathy is a powerful emotion that can make the world a better place. By taking steps to increase empathy in the next generation, we can create a more just and compassionate world for everyone.
Konrath, S. H., O’Brien, E. H., & Hsing, C. (2011). Changes in Dispositional Empathy in American College Students Over Time: A Meta-Analysis. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 15(2), 180–198. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088868310377395