As much as we would like to think otherwise, we live in a self-absorbed world. And shockingly children, perhaps because of prevailing “all-about-me” attitudes, are 40 percent less empathetic than they were thirty years ago.
“Selfies” dominate our culture, and the stress caused by the drive to succeed undermines the development of empathy—the habit that actually gives children an edge or what Michele Borba, Ed. D. calls the “Empathy Advantage.”
In her new book, UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World, she explains that empathy is the key to children’s happiness, well-being and success—right now and later as grownups. Empathy can be learned and Dr. Borba explains exactly how parents—and educators—can and should be the teachers.
