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Teenage Brains "Lack" Empathy
- Thread starter rockthecasbah
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freebooter said:
Oversensitive. There's a huge gigantic concept behind emo, but I guess an overview of it would be
the Holiness of the hallowed Wikipedia said:
How do you expect insurance companies to assess the likelihood of you being in an accident? It's not like you have a past driving record or anything to establish credibility. Also, keep in mind that many insurance companies give lower rates to people with good grades, so it's not like they're failing to acknowledge that some teenagers are more responsible/intelligent than others. Seriously...what else can they do? They can't judge people on a case-by-case basis. Maybe your parents can write to your insurance company and tell them how much of a good little boy you are and then you'll get a discounted rate. Keep your fingers crossed....
Also, about the article....I just want to say that empathy is something a lot of people learn over time. Some people develop empathy earlier than others, some people don't develop it at all. Personally, I have never had much empathy and probably have even less now at age 40 than I did as a teenager. I really just don't give a **** about other human beings beyond what they can do to benefit me. Sorry.
Look, dude, any idiot can write a book and say what they want to say. I wonder how the ratios hold up when comparing adults to teens? Pretty damned close I'll bet. As a parent of a sensitive, heartfelt teen this book is little more than tinder for me. And working in education has shown me that what I "figured" was WAY off.
Take it from me, this guy is one of those idjits.
"could" or "couldn't"?
Uh, no.
There is never, EVER "one simple factor". Even the Brady parents could have raised a serial killer.
I think if there was ONE highly ranked factor (among a list of dozens known and unknown), I'd have to guess "luck" would be up there.
Link.
Apparently the author of this story lacks a brain since "underuse" doesn't constitute the term "lacking" altogether.As a sensitive teen, I take offense to this alegation by the author with such a blatantly wrong title. I truly feel guilty about so many things, even taking money from my parents and upsetting people.It is rather interesting though, especially the details of the different brain usage between teens and adults...
I wouldn't call that empathy... That just seems like you have a conscience and are a good enough person to care about other people. Empathy is understanding how someone feels; your examples just seem like guilt.
However, I agree with the author in some respects. At school, so many people I knew couldn't see a situation from a teacher's point of view (ie. understand that they may have been having a rough day, etc.) and I admit, at times I didn't see that either and just thought "Aww miss you're being an unreasonable b*tch". But at the same time, the teachers may not have been able to empathize with the students and understand what they were going through.
Really, it is quite generalized to say that teenagers don't empathize, but a LOT don't; particularly with authority figures, such as teachers, parents, police, etc. And in fairness, a lot of adults don't as well. It's just pinpointing teenagers, and that's unfair. And especially saying it's an ability they don't have; it's not - it's just one they don't use, which is the same for many adults as well.
I feel for you. And I hope you never find yourself in need. An attitude like that, will get you no empathy back.
Two years for a grammar lesson??
Perhaps he means that he has some room left, with which to care less?
First of all, since when is this an attitude? This is the way my brain is. I just naturally don't feel much empathy for most people. Actually, there are some people I feel a lot of empathy for. For example, when George Carlin died I was very sad. I feel empathy for close friends and family. However, most other people I see as enemies. Let me explain this. I try to get along with everyone, but when I'm interacting with people who aren't friends or family I am always looking for a way to use them to my advantage. I see them as enemies to be exploited. I'm not really too concerned about getting no empathy back because I usually don't need or want empathy from others. If I did, I could rely on the fact that most people think I'm a nice person (because I'm not rude and I have a good sense of humor) and that most people are naturally empathetic. Maybe I'm a jerk or even a psychopath, but it doesn't matter to me....I'm a happy person.
I can be quite like that sometimes.
Although I don't apply to the whole "see how they can be an advantage to me" thing. I just generally see everyone as an enemy until I know they're not, and don't want empathy, nor want to give it to every single person I know.
Apparently the author of this story lacks a brain since "underuse" doesn't constitute the term "lacking" altogether.
I, being the same way, agree with you. However, think of your friends or people you know, and most of them really don't give a rats ass about anything but themselves. You could say the same about adults, but on a general level, teens (atleast the ones i know, sadly) are quite unempathetic.
It seems like a lot of teens are taking offense to this article, not surprisingly.
But I'm an adult and I feel your pain...even if you cannot feel mine.
But I'm an adult and I feel your pain...even if you cannot feel mine.
As a dad who has raised one teenager to an adult and has two others at home, I can understand where the author is coming from. Do I agree with it, parts maybe, but certainly not all.
One thing I do know is all three of my teenagers thought/think my wife and I know nothing. We are too strict, too up tight, and care too much about the little things. We don't care about the important things like cell phones, going here and there, and hanging out with friends. Thus, they didn't/don't care about our feelings like an adult would.
And, all three of my kids worried/worry about what is in it for "me" -- subscribing to the me society of teenagers -- look at me, envy me, check out me. It's self first and others after that.
BUT, I know they have a budding adult in them; one that cares for others before themselves, volunteers for things, and does things without asking. Just when we think the kids couldn't be any more self-centered, they do one of those "adult" things that make you just smile and says thanks to God for having them. Right there that tells me that these teens are/will be ok later on.
I was that way as a teen. It took me until I was 30 to grow out of my self-centeredness but I got there. It's the ones that don't, who always are takers and not givers that you have to watch out for.
One thing I do know is all three of my teenagers thought/think my wife and I know nothing. We are too strict, too up tight, and care too much about the little things. We don't care about the important things like cell phones, going here and there, and hanging out with friends. Thus, they didn't/don't care about our feelings like an adult would.
And, all three of my kids worried/worry about what is in it for "me" -- subscribing to the me society of teenagers -- look at me, envy me, check out me. It's self first and others after that.
BUT, I know they have a budding adult in them; one that cares for others before themselves, volunteers for things, and does things without asking. Just when we think the kids couldn't be any more self-centered, they do one of those "adult" things that make you just smile and says thanks to God for having them. Right there that tells me that these teens are/will be ok later on.
I was that way as a teen. It took me until I was 30 to grow out of my self-centeredness but I got there. It's the ones that don't, who always are takers and not givers that you have to watch out for.
...and this article doesn't even cover the effects of society, like the desensitizing effects of video games and violent/gory movies.
but, wait...it's not about that. It's simply stating findings from a study that was measuring different brain activity rates.
Read into it a little more, you might actually find it quite interesting.
Note: different people do mature at different rates, as I'm sure different brains mature at different rates as well. (Don't hate, I'm not)
but, wait...it's not about that. It's simply stating findings from a study that was measuring different brain activity rates.
Read into it a little more, you might actually find it quite interesting.
Note: different people do mature at different rates, as I'm sure different brains mature at different rates as well. (Don't hate, I'm not)