Empathy & Compassion

Tips For Teaching Teens Compassion, Empathy

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Q:  Dear Dr. Fran, my wife and I are worried about our 16-year-old daughter. At times she can be cold, callous, and mean to us.  Compassion does not seem to be part of her personality. Can this be taught? Please help us!       -Jason E.

A:  Dear Jason: empathy and compassion are learned best by experience.  If the child is treated with warmth, empathy, and compassion, she has a high likelihood of becoming an empathic adolescent and adult.

Of course, this empathic relating must begin at birth when the new mom responds to each of her infant’s cries/needs. This warm maternal response should carry through into the early and middle childhood years.

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