>>329447A little clarification/correction:
While empathy is not something that is tought in an abstract way, it IS developed in a child during te first 5-6 years of life by its guardians; be they parents or the community. Believe it or not, most of this development is responsible by father figures, and cultural norms play heavily into this.
The 'Empathy circuit' as it is called, consisting of the connections between the amygdala (region of the brain important for fear, pain and emotional response) and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (area of the brain used for morality, emotional refulation, and empathy) is developed by nourishing the growing child's emotional needs.
Neglected, abused children, children with absent or ineffective fathers show poor development in this area and consist of most of the incidents of psycho-instability. Narcissism. Bi-polar disorder. Psychopathy. Sociopathy. An absence of comprehending the emotional needs of others: zero empathy.
Mother figures are important too, but provide more of an emotional regulatory effect. A shoulder to cry on; a release. Safe company to break down and rebuild, heal.
Together with the father, this binary produces a well balanced, emotionally intelligent and most importantly, empathetic adult.
tl,dr: Be a good father figure.
Be present. Show empathy. It is from a position of power and strength that the luxury, delight, dare I say virtue of empathy is demonstrated, valued and respected.
