Empathy Epidemic: Rise of Individualism
- May 15
- 2 min read
In the United States, the culture has thrived on individualism. It is very common for people to believe they can do everything themself - which they can - however, researchers are trying to figure out to what extent individualism starts affecting the way people help each other. In other countries, primarily in Asia and South America, collectivism is the norm. In collectivist societies they take the saying "it takes a village" to heart. Across social media, people are begging to find a community that feels like the support system they lack in everyday life. Instead of a welcoming and supporting village, they find a generation lacking empathy and patience.
Where is empathy lacking?
Gen-Z has tokened the term “protecting my peace” in order to form strict boundaries that protect themselves from getting hurt in the long run. Although is it beneficial to set boundaries for friends and family, the idea has gotten out of hand. People are changing plans last minute to stay home due to comfortability, and their friends suffer the consequences. Setting boundaries has turned into a way of avoidance, which has ultimately contributed to the lack of empathy people are seeing across their peers.
Why are people becoming less empathetic?
The real debate in the idea of an empathy epidemic is what empathy actually looks like in today’s world. Empathy itself is defined as “the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another” (Merriam-Webster). Being empathetic is very hard to come across in today’s digital world. Needless to say from my perspective, people cannot be empathetic through a screen. This may be why researchers are noticing such a large drop in empathy across people. Dr. Konrath, a social psychologist, has found in her studies that college students (Gen-Z) have reported that their own empathy levels have decreased. Konrath alongside several other researchers are trying to pinpoint exactly why this is happening, and she has coined the term of “Culture Burnout.” This means that individualistic culture of the United States no longer supports the needs of today’s young adults and teenagers.
How can you be there for others?
Wanting to have a village means that you have to be a part of it. People cannot wait to take charge in their own life. If everyone wants a village, and is hoping the people in their life will start one for them, they will never receive that gift. Getting rid of the empathy epidemic has to start within everyone. Start actually putting yourself in other’s shoes. Look at both sides of an argument. Have patience for people you may not truly understand. Start inconveniencing yourself to show up for your loved ones. Empathy is a characteristic that only well developed species, like humans, have. It is up to everyone to use this gift and never forget its importance in everyday life.
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