Generating empathy among adolescents is a key task in the well-being of young people going through this sometimes hard road that takes human beings from childhood to adulthood.
In any case, as individuals, we must be aware of the importance of teamwork, belonging to the group, the common good and the need to thrive in an appropriate and positive environment, all of which is enhanced by empathy.
What is empathy
We understand empathy as the key element in the field of emotional intelligence that allows us to better understand what other people experience, almost as if we were ourselves.
However, being empathetic is not the same as being understanding or sympathetic. It is not a matter of pleasing or understanding, but of feeling or, as has always been said, putting oneself in the place of others.
From a psychological point of view, we can understand empathy as the ability to differentiate between one's own feelings and those of others. In other words, it is a trait of good emotional intelligence, which allows us to regulate our emotional responses by putting ourselves in the place of another person.
How we can generate empathy among adolescents
Is it possible to generate empathy among teenagers? Obviously, the answer is yes. In this way, we will also be able to promote the increase and improvement of the social skills of young people. And, likewise, we will reduce the chances of aggressive behavior such as bullying, for example.
Now, how can we work on these aspects? We will gradually get to know some dynamics and activities that we can put into practice.
Development of secure attachment in the family environment
It is always the best way in positive parenting. If as parents we are prone to talk, address children's emotional needs, and show empathy for their needs and desires, it will be easier for them to develop this skill as well.
When a young person receives secure attachment at home, we understand that he or she knows that he or she is well supported both emotionally and physically. Therefore, if parents help children to cope with their negative emotions, to learn to identify and manage them, we will make them more compassionate, more self-sufficient, more confident and, above all, more empathetic.
Respect for adolescent independence
Wanting to control every aspect of what young people do is usually a mistake. Each child is a world with his or her own interests, tastes and dreams, and that is something we must always respect.
If we want to raise empathetic children who overcome their adolescence without trauma, we have to help them understand the transition to adulthood they are going through. And for this we do not have to influence their behavior, but we must help them to understand their feelings and emotions, because they are their own.
If they know how to label, recognize and manage, and then verbally give form to these conclusions, we will help them to better understand what other people feel, thus increasing their empathic level.
Acting as models
As is often the case, learning by imitation or vicarious learning comes into play, which is still important and works in the adolescent stage. How do we do this? If we want to raise empathetic young people, we have to behave like empaths ourselves. If they see that the adults they admire listen, help and know how to put themselves in other people's shoes, we will have gone a long way towards providing children with the resilience and empathy necessary for an adequate and full transition to adulthood.
At Logos International School we have an expert team that knows how to generate empathy among teenagers so that they discover how to live in harmony and plenitude with the rest of the people that form their environment.