When we consider current global issues in our classrooms, a question arises regarding our students' ability to feel and understand the pain and suffering of others around the globe. How can middle or upper-class students feel the pain of hunger, or the hopelessness of poverty? How can they relate to totally disempowered human beings around the world? The ability to personally feel the impact of these powerful situations, unknown to them "in the flesh," is critical to a thorough understanding of the global reality. So, how can we help our students develop empathy for their fellow humans? Let's start at the very beginning.
Psychologists tell us that when we as infants first develop our awareness of others as beings not directly linked to us and not part of "our group," we respond with concern, rejection or fear. (Aunt Sally can attest to this, as little Jimmy begins to cry when she first visits the family and picks him up.) This is an understandable evolutionary reaction to a possible threat to our well-being. To the infant, others are present only to meet his/her needs or as possible threats. An infant has no sense of empathy for the welfare of others.
As we gain confidence in ourselves and in our environment, we lower our guard and become less insular; we are more accepting of new faces. We begin to develop our social self and learn to interact productively with others. We begin to accept the existence of others in our world.
Although we remain self-centered as children, we normally begin to develop a rudimentary -- but very real -- concern for fairness and justice. We automatically reject obvious perceived injustices perpetrated against our siblings and our social group. As we reach what Jean Piaget called the "Concrete Operational Stage" of cognitive development, we reject specific examples of perceived wrongdoing against those close to us.
A little later, we reach Piaget's "Formal Operational Stage" and we are able to internalize abstract concepts that we can apply to specific situations; concepts such as "justice," "fairness," and "empathy." We now have the tools to develop empathy toward those who are personally unknown to us.
The specific attributes of human nature have been a matter of considerable philosophical and psychological debate over the years. I am going to be on the side of those who believe that in a normal, non-threatening environment, all humans begin to develop "basic human empathy." I am going to define "basic human empathy" as "the intellectual and emotional ability to feel the joy or pain of others who are not personally close to us."
Not everyone develops basic human empathy. In very threatening environments, some children/adolescents cannot get beyond the evolutionary dictates of self-preservation-at-any-cost and do not develop a sense of empathy; this is not normal human development. Fortunately, most humans do develop empathy as we develop cognitively and morally/ethically.
In those cases when our environment and our conditioning conspire to thwart normal development, the result is an adolescent or adult with an under-developed capacity for empathy. Several questions arise: What specific factors can interfere with the development of the human capacity for empathy? Can we as teachers help our students develop their normal potential to become empathetic human beings and care for both the pain and the well-being of those unknown to them? If so, how can we do it?
In our next post we will explore some possibilities....
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
What specific factors can interfere with the development of the human capacity for empathy?
ReplyDeleteFor many years good parenting and organized religion have taught us between right and wrong and have given many a moral compass. Organized religion gives society a set of values and ethics to live by and I believe can help guide some to develop a capacity for empathy.
Can we, as teachers, help our students develop their normal potential to become empathetic human beings and care for both the pain and the well-being of those unknown to them?
To an extent, yes we can. Community service projects such as serving food to the homeless puts a name and face to some issues and can develop some empathy.
If so, how can we do it?
Exposure and discussion on how it’s not an “us” vs. “them” but in fact “we.”
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.
[=ViLcHeZ=]
I am by no means a socialist or a man of god but I will quote Karl Marx:
“Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people.”
I believe that the fact of developing human empathy is debatable. When we are children, we know that it is wrong to hit our brother or sister, or that it is wrong to steal a cookie before dinner. However, when we get older we change this family into community. If we were to leave our community and go to another country, our perception of human empathy changes. Human empathy in Africa would not be based off of hunger or poverty. For, most of the people in Africa see this as a way of life. They most likely do not see that first sign that their family has not had food in a few days, instead they see how to work through that. When they first think of human empathy they might think of refugee camp or no place to sleep. Here in America we see human empathy as this person hasn't eaten breakfast or lunch, that person doesn't have a job, or so and so can't afford to buy her daughter paper and pencils for school. We see that he or she has clothes on their back and food in their hands and think everything is fine, then we see that the clothes on their back are old, torn, and dirty, the food in their hands is all they have had to eat for the day. What can we define as wrong that human empathy can fix, if human empathy is different in every situation?
ReplyDelete~Francalancia
Empathy is the intellectual and emotional ability to feel the joy or pain of others who are not personally close to us. I think that the development of empathy cannot be developed on its own. What I mean is that we humans cannot just develop empathy like that. As we grow up, we start learning right from wrong and we start to understand issues that are happpening on the world we live in. So i do think that the people around us (parents, relatives, teachers, etc.) are the ones who teach us how to develop empathy because these are the people that make us aware of everything that is going on around us and make us aware that it is important to care for those issues.
ReplyDeleteThe hard-working Primatologist, Frans de Waal, had once said, "Empathy is the social glue that holds communities together, and if humans are empathetic animals it is because we have the backing of a long evolutionary history. Bonding... is what makes us happiest," Dr. de Waal has gathered ample evidence that our ability to identify with another's distress (a catalyst for compassion and charity) has deep roots in the origin of our species. It is a view independently reinforced by recent biomedical studies showing that our brains are built to feel another person’s pain. We automatically respond to another’s moods. We can cry at the problems of people we have never met or, be captured in the fiction, and become involved in the lives of people who never existed. we may be hard-wired for empathy, University of Chicago researchers who studied children's neural responses say, "It starts on day one, when a baby cries because it hears another baby cry, Our mind's emotional intelligence requires all that extra gray matter.” empathy, sympathy and compassion are traits shared by every species with a basic capacity for self-awareness. So why is it not obvious that humans, especially students, have this raw emotional trait of empathy? Empathy draws us into the life of another human’s mind. Empathy can manifest in unexpected ways as an intuitive response to others perfect example would be the contagious yawning. Most people cannot help but yawn without thinking when someone else starts doing it first. No one knows why, but researchers at the State University of New York recently learned that people better able to identify with another's state of mind also yawn more readily in response to others. Children with autism (a condition characterized by an inability to interact socially) do not catch yawns. Emotions are contagious, too. "You cry and I feel sad," says Dr. de Waal. "There is an echo of your feelings in me." So if all this is true, then why not? Why would it be an issue for people to teach empathy? It is already a part of our biological structure.
ReplyDeleteThis post has brought, to my attention, the severity of the lack of empathy currently in humanity. It appears that it might only get worse over the passing of time. It seems that many of the global issues that our most dominant today, like war over resources and the constant struggle for high or acceptable social status, have branched from self interest. I believe that it is important that empathy be instilled in our youth, and brought to the awareness of other generations. Empathy would allow for compromise, mediation, and acceptance, which is much needed. I am glad that it is being recognized that the opportunity to establish a necessary sense of empathy can be found in the classroom. I hope that our trusted educators will be encouraged to play an immense part in bringing empathy to our world.
ReplyDeleteEmpathy is often said as “putting yourself in someone’s shoes”. It is the capability to understand other’s emotions and feelings. I agree that it would be difficult for upper-middle class and upper class citizens to develop empathy, for they have been rich in resources and do not know what it is to be at a “low”. Their surroundings prohibits them from empathy. So I believe the question is not “can we help our students to develop empathy?”, but “can we help our students and their surrounding to develop empathy?”
ReplyDeleteAlso, I believe if we show our students first-hand about poverty, hunger and other global issues, then they might be able to develop empathy better. They would be able to see what other humans are going through and the hardships they have to encounter. As far as that goes, I believe a period of time away from sources, such as electronic and parents, is an effective way for our students to develop empathy, as well as, us humans.
With this understanding of empathy to our global educators, it is ideal to show our students the understanding of empathy as well.
Many don’t take count of what is going around the world and its society. Many people, mostly the young, don’t know how to feel empathy mostly because they wouldn’t know what it is too feel bad for others. They don’t know how the others are feeling around the world because they are pretty much “stuck in their rich society” or “high class” and won’t see beyond that. They are focused on their lives and no others. Those who feel empathy, like me for example would cry to see others in pain and going through impacting obstacles in life. Many can’t imagine going through what others go through daily and every second of their lives. We do need to help students feel empathy for others so we can make a change. Those who feel empathy are the ones that help the poor or “the low class”. We can all make this a better place with just a little of empathy in them. Students should be helped seeing themselves in other people’s shoes and making them realize a little won’t hurt. As infants we need to start seeing this because as people mature they might become “too stubborn” to understand or just won’t see the importance.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIn the first paragraph, one question definitely caught my attention. How can people who live well know what it's like to be starving or poor? People may say they know what it's like because they don't eat for three hours but they do not know what many people are suffering on a daily basis. When we are born, we are not born with the instinct of survival. We have mom and dad to feed us. Some people world wide are desperate for food from the moment they are born to the moment they die. We are not born with empathy. Empathy is feeling the same as someone else who is not close to you. Some ignorant people never experience empathy and some are constantly feeling empathetic. When you feel empathetic towards someone, you have a basic idea of what they are going through even though you cannot fully understand their state. In my opinion, teachers can attempt to teach students to be as empathetic as possible but if the student refuses to learn, it is hopeless. The majority of students who have never felt empathy have never been exposed to it. If they are, they will most likely change their ideas and way of thinking. If more empathy is shown throughout the world, there will be less poverty and starvation.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteEverything you have said is indeed very true. I consider myself a Global citizen and I believe that empathy is the number one thing we all need in order to solve any Global Issue since it gives us all the force and the importance of the issue. Once we feel the pain of the ones suffering, we will want to solve the problem since we know how horrifying it is. It is very complicated though since many of us simply not care and think that we have enough we our own problems; however if we teach our students empathy and how necessary it is for solving problems and actually saving the world and we do it since they are young enough then it wouldn’t be so difficult since that characteristic of being empathetic would become part of their personality and stereotype.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIt is said that the impossible can be possible. I believe that in order for us as adolescence to feel empathy towards another. We, ever since an infant, must be taught by the people that surround our lives every day. We are the future , so it is said and if you as adults want to see a change come to this world you have to lead our way, because the day we are left out to fend for ourselves; we will take into consideration what you have taught us. It is not impossible for us to feel empathy because of the fact that our young minds, even though sometimes it may not seem it, are innocent. We feel for others whatever the situation; we see what some of you adults may not. I do have to point out though that not all us ‘see’. Some are blinded and are spoiled to a point where they do not understand the significance of a bed or a shirt or water, etc. Some are what we call blind spotted.
ReplyDeleteThe importance of empathy is often not being recognized by students. Students are rarely seen worrying about the world, global issues, or problems affecting today’s society. If we where to put ourselves in the position of people who are suffering around the world we’d feel sympathy for them, although most people don’t even think this way. Students should be encouraged and taught to be empathetic and worry about global issue taking place. We can become better people and enhance the world with diminutive changes like these.
ReplyDeleteConditioning plays a huge role in developing empathy. As said above, we are not born with empathy, we develop this feeling as we grow. Different societies have different influences on the community. Authoritative figures in people's lives have the opportunity to impact their lives, some to a great extent. Often, it is other people in one's life that can make you think twice.
ReplyDeleteThis article has great truth and importance to it. It is extremely hard for people to show empathy, and even harder for those who are very fortunate, and have a good medial or upper class life. It’s astounding that riches, and little suffering may engulf some regions while others can have quite the opposite having great poverty, and an incredible amount of pain and suffering. If we wish for a better future and a better world we must bring a stop to such extremes. Teaching empathy would be the correct path to bring destruction to such a thing. Even though there may be no way of making middle and upper class students feel the pain and hunger some go through way may be able to teach them of it. Knowledge is a great tool, and with this tool great accomplishments may be created. Through educational videos and informing them on the hardships some go through while we live glamorous, and worriless lives they may teach them empathy, and its importance. With it change may come, as empathy will encourage people to find a way to make a difference, and a new better tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteCan you give students empathy? Yes, how to do it is hard. They have to understand whats going in other country. So the first thing knowledge. The next step is understanding of both sides of issue in where you have to know which side to take. Mediating can also help you in this situation. They have to make sure they have enough knowledge and reasoning to choose a side to take empathy for.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhen we are just babies we are taught what is right and what is wrong. This is why as infants we tend to take advantage of our parents and the elders. We want their protection and do not want anyone else. However, as we get older we learn on our own. We start to get feelings we did not know and didn’t understand and start to realize things we didn’t before. We get comfortable with others and talk about different things as well. At this age we start to make our own decisions and “grow up”. When we listen to the lectures in our classrooms we think through and process what is being said in a way we can understand it. Other ways we understand some concepts is by the way we feel about them. When we talk about problems around the world we start to develop empathy because we have what they do not have. Some students who don’t develop this probably do not understand what is being said. I think a way for teachers to get to the students is showing them how it is. In pictures and videos and real life documents, to show how things are around the world and will help to develop empathy.
ReplyDeleteEmpathy, a very meaningful and powerful word. Empathy should not only be recognized throughout one individual's entire life but it should be embraced from the starting point on. It is not enough to just admit that you feel someone’s pain or understand what they are going through. Saying something does not necessarily show that you truly mean your words. They must genuinely represent actual feeling and love for the humans involved. When it comes to child empathy, that truly must be encouraged by the parents from birth. They must allow the children to understand that there are no boundaries that separate you from anyone else. Allow the child to enjoy his time with anybody; never ever keep him/her from being happy and they will blossom and express empathy on any occasion and any person. No man or woman is different from anyone else. This must be made curious and certain to children from the start. Without a functional understanding of society the child could cease to reach the goals that it possibly can. Through careful understanding of the world around us, by teaching that nobody is different and that anybody deserves honor and respect, that possible greatness can overshadow prejudice at an early age; that is what is important. What is important is not allowing any boundaries to keep the child from progressing in a positive manner. Only then will that child be a stronger, healthier, and wiser human being in the future.
ReplyDeleteThis post has brought to my attention the intensity of the lack of empathy currently in humanity. It appears that it might only get worse over the passing of time. It seems that many of the global issues that are most dominant today, like war over resources and the constant struggle for high or acceptable social status, have branched from self interest. I believe that it is important that empathy be instilled in our youth, and brought to the awareness of other generations. Empathy would allow for compromise, mediation, and acceptance, which is much needed. I am glad that this is being recognized and that the opportunity to establish a necessary sense of empathy can be found in the classroom. I hope that our educators will be encouraged to play a meaningful part in bringing empathy to our world.
ReplyDeleteI believe that regardless of where we are born, where we are raised, the color of our skin or just who we are mentally, everyone on this planet is connected by the mere fact that we are all only human. We can all feel happiness, sadness, envy, fear, etc. - even if we don’t all experience these emotions at the same intensity. This ability is one of the things that make us all human beings, and from this we can find a source of empathy for our fellow neighbor. Now, it is a different story whether or not the ability to feel pain or caring for another person, especially if we don’t know them. As stated this sense of caring for those around you is common in human nature, but in order to strive for solutions in global issues, we all must past the point of caring only for ourselves and those we know personally, and care for those who live across the world in a box we don’t know. What we do know is that like ourselves, that person is a human just like us, and although we can’t remotely begin to imagine what that person is going through, our awareness and caring will help us feel for that person and help them. Even though the sad truth is that we are living in a more self-centered world, I do believe that this sense of empathy can be obtained in our children today in order to raise caring adults and reach a better future. This can be done by showing kids how good they have it, and what is going on in the world, (not in a crude way of course). Empathy can be attained by students out there, and it is crucial for the world that they do.
ReplyDelete_Maria Del Risco_
Every earth day is a complete different story for each human being. On one side of the world we have Mr. Bill Gates who may be enjoying a lobster bathed in gold and on the other side we have an African child who is lucky to find food in the dumpster to survive one more day. You may ask how we can let such atrocious events happen when we should all be one united human family. Of course there are innumerable answers to this single question; however, the great lack of empathy in today’s society is the primordial reason why such events are taking place. Half of today’s population does not even know what is happening in the world around them. Thus it is critical to find ways to transmit empathy to our students. When our students can learn to understand and relate to the despicable situations which other students go through, our world will become more globally united. There are many options to do this, such as Amnesty International in our very own school or maybe a community food drive around your neighborhood. It is not easy to relate to something out of your reach, but helping and understanding can work wonders. As long as the spark of empathy is ignited among our students, most problems will be resolved. If we don’t help our student develop empathy today it will probably be too late tomorrow, when we slowly start to lose our humanity. Therefore, it is important and possible to help our student develop empathy not only for the human family but for each student’s own sake so they may be better human beings and understand the suffering of their neighbor.
ReplyDelete-Gerry Rivadeneira
Many don’t take count of what is going around the world and its society. Many people, mostly the young, don’t know how to feel empathy mostly because they wouldn’t know what it is to feel bad for others. They don’t know how the others are feeling around the world because they are pretty much “stuck in their rich society” or “high class” and won’t see beyond that. They are focused on their lives and no others. Those who feel empathy, like me for example, would cry to see others in pain and going through impacting obstacles in life. Many can’t imagine going through what others go through daily and every second of their lives. We do need to help students feel empathy for others so we can make a change. Those who feel empathy are the ones that help the poor or “the lower class”. We can all make this a better place with just a little empathy in them. Students should be helped to see themselves in other people’s shoes and making them realize a little empathy won’t hurt. As infants we need to start seeing this because as people mature they might become “too stubborn” to understand or just won’t see the importance of being empathetic.
ReplyDeleteHuman empathy, especially that of young adults, is created or usually induced as the child grows up and develops. If a child is not taught by his parents or his or her caregiver that he or she must feel empathy for others it will be a bit complicated for a teacher or instructor to engrave these morals or values into an already developed human. Empathy also depends on the amount of affection or care that a child has been given as they grow up. Children who were raised with affection will not have fear or feel uncomfortable showing their own affection. This means that students will be able to open themselves and express their feelings towards a certain matter or issue with ease. Those, however, who were not given affection as they grew up will not understand or feel comfortable expressing their feelings in public because they were never demonstrated how or shown that this is perfectly normal, making it a bit difficult to know if the student feels empathy for a certain subject. Although it may be difficult, an "outsider" such as a teacher does have the possibility of inducing a student to feel empathy; however, it may take a while. Teachers have the ability to lead a child into feeling empathy by allowing him or her to speak to someone who is suffering from the situation which they are supposed to feel empathy for and see the physical (in person) difference between them and the affected human instead of watching a video. A teacher may also help students to place themselves in the position which those who are suffering are in and imagine the change that would occur in their lives if they switched conditions. Lastly, teachers may also allow students to discuss amongst themselves, and this interaction may lead those who are not empathetic to change their opinion, as they see and hear the thoughts of others who are. Even though it may not always be possible to enlarge every child with empathy, most of the time a teacher can make a difference in the life of a student if the desire for their empathy is approached in various forms and persistently over time.
ReplyDeleteEmpathy is a traint that is severely lacking in our current society, partly because of our narrow mindedness when it comes to issues unrelated to ourselves.
ReplyDeleteIt is easy for us to openly express sympathy towards someone who is sick, or give some thought to the plight of poverty stricken nations, but it ends there; which is precisely the problem. We THINK about the problems of other people, but few of us actually ACT upon our concerns, attempting to assauge the grief of suffering people. Most of us are incapable of truly understanding the pain of others, unless we are experiencing it as well, making it difficult to empathize with others- especially those we do not know.