News and Society

There was a time in America when all children were raised to empathize with other people. They were taught that it was their duty as a human being to feel compassion and to lend a helping hand whenever they could do so. Many people thought that empathy was an emotion like anger, happiness, and love. They thought that all people had this emotion. That was not the case.

Empathy was something that children learned by watching the adults in their lives. The adults were empathetic, sympathetic, and compassionate, to strangers and loved ones in their lives. When they saw a neighbor having hard times the adults would take that neighbor food, or clothing, or they would help them do their chores until they could do so on their own. It was understood that it times of crisis the neighbors, your friends, and your family would pull together and help you out. No one complained about helping others, it was just something they did without thinking much about it.

As children grew they were often taken to the homes of people who were suffering from illness, and other maladies. They were given chores to do at the homes of these individuals and they were not paid to do these chores. They were doing deeds of good work, because they knew that at anytime their own family could need services like this from their neighbors. These children were learning to empathize with the suffering of others.

Today you can talk to your children and help them to learn to develop empathy. Talk to them about the suffering that other people go through. Volunteer with them to work at a homeless shelter, or to help with a community fundraiser to provide things for people less fortunate than them. The important thing will not be who you help it will be that you are consistent with your efforts. You cannot go one time to help others and expect your children to catch on, and learn, empathy.

Give to charities in your town and encourage your child to give a small percentage of their allowance to charities as well. Allow them to choose the charity they feel the most about. Allow them to volunteer at animal shelters and nursing homes. They can help raise funds for feeding the animals and they can read to the elderly and help them decorate their rooms.

Make certain that when there is a fundraiser in your town you make every effort to attend it. This will show your child that the community and the plight of other people are important to you and that you feel better when you have helped another person. Remember that our children learn from us. You have to teach empathy to them by being empathetic.

View the original article here