Empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, is a foundational skill for building strong relationships. In a world so connected yet so divided, many are left to wonder whose responsibility it is to teach empathy in children, and whether schools can teach it. While I believe it’s true that some are more naturally empathetic than others, that doesn’t necessarily mean that empathy is fixed. Schools can and should play a major role in helping students develop empathy through practice and example.
Empathy is often seen as a natural trait, as something that develops in someone on its own and with the fostering of parents. It’s also clear that a person’s environment influences whether they become empathetic, whether at home, with family or at school. While families may lay the foundation, schools are where children spend a significant amount of time. School is in session for 1,231 hours each year, based on the averages of about seven hours and 179 days per school year. This, alongside having classmates, strongly influences whether a person becomes empathetic. In my experience, the way teachers manage a classroom and handle conflicts between students can either encourage us to think about other people’s feelings or teach us to ignore them. Even when a teacher pauses a lesson to help two classmates talk through disagreements, everyone in that room sees and learns what empathy really is.
Schools can also teach students empathy by creating opportunities to give back and support others inside and outside of school. Service projects, peer tutoring and even field trips can have a vital impact on children’s development of empathy. Park has done a wonderful job in doing this with students, having elementary school field trips to organizations like Feed My Starving Children, middle schoolers have the chance to make water filters that are sent to Africa and high schoolers have the option to join NHS (National Honor Society), which offers a large variety of ways to give back to the community. These experiences show that empathy is not just about feeling sorry for someone; it’s about recognizing their needs and choosing to respond with kindness.
Another reason I think schools should be expected to teach empathy is that they bring together students from diverse backgrounds and beliefs. In one single classroom, you may have a student who immigrated from a different country, speaks different languages at home or practices different religions. Without guidance, these differences can be used as sources for bullying. However, when schools like Park teach empathy through activities and group discussions, it gives students a chance to see the world through someone else’s perspective. For example, analyzing books and movies where characters face discrimination can be the bridge to connecting a student’s learning to real emotion. Of course, schools are not perfect and at the end of the day, that cannot replace the role of family. Even though a lot of people believe that empathy should be taught at home and that a school’s job is to teach academics, what a lot of people fail to realize is that empathy plays such a big role in supporting learning and one’s growth. When students feel understood and respected by their classmates and teachers, they are more likely to participate, take risks and stay engaged. A classroom where people not only listen to each other but also respect each other creates a safer and overall better environment for everyone.
Overall, empathy may come naturally to some, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be learned or strengthened for others. Schools have a unique responsibility in teaching and instilling empathy within students because of the time we spend learning and the diversity of the people we meet. Through daily examples, intentional lessons and real-life practice, schools can help turn empathy from just an idea to a habit. In such a divided world, I think that teaching empathy in schools is not only helpful but essential.
