2. ADOLESCENT EMPATHY 2
Adolescence is a transitional time in life that is flooded with a combination of
conflicting adjustments, emotions and decisions that can be overwhelming and transpire into
contentious issues. Maladaptive behavior is a trait that many individuals of this age group
acquire due to their upbringing and lack of societal empathy (Gervase, M. n.d.). With this in
mind, juvenile delinquency is on a path that requires significant re-evaluation of how our
communities handle these young minds, still under construction. A society that is educated and
absorbing of empathy is one that can foresee positive outcome within our adolescents and
therefore our future.
Our societal systems are so caught up in the attempts to “fix” our communities by placing
the adolescents in the custody of our courts instead of focusing on educating them at a younger
age in the homes and schools on the critical concept of recognizing empathy (Kennedy, A.,
2008). Children that grow up in stable, educated encouraging and loving environments clearly
have a better chance at progressing through this stage with independence, self-esteem and
positive regard for their communities (Cherry, K., 2015). Implementation of empathy in our
children from young ages further expresses to them an exchange of human feelings. This can
ultimately cut down on delinquency crime rates, gang membership and overall potential adult
criminal activity since adolescents turn to peers for support when the family system appears
absent and neglectful (Gordon, Lahey, Kawai, Loeber & Magda-Stouthamer-Loeber, and
Farrington, 2004).
It is the intent of many mental health professionals to advocate for adolescents and to
educate the communities of the notable concept of implementing empathy in our growing
adolescents. Antisocial behavior feeds on peer involvement and resisting authority which in turn
can be a result of lack of empathy. In fact, there are numerous gangs throughout our country for
3. ADOLESCENT EMPATHY 3
this reason; a false sense of acceptance, family and support (Gordon, et. al., 2004). If our youth
cannot turn to their role models for guidance, appropriate education, encouragement and
empowerment towards their own future in the world, how can we expect improvements and
crime reduction in our society altogether?
When adolescents are enlisted in the system due to criminal behavior, there are programs
available designed to bring the families together and provide them with the proper skills needed
to prevent further negative behavior from the adolescent (crimesolutions. Gov., 2015). When we
are provided with factual information like this, we must become mindful of the biological
tendencies that the adolescent brain does not and cannot function like that of an adult, and the
adult systems must acknowledge this, therefore becoming more empathetic themselves in the
studies of our young minds (nih.gov., 2006). All too often we as a society and authority figures
tend to place unrealistic expectations on the adolescents of today, assuming they can make
judgments, appropriate choices and rational decisions based on their apparent maturity, not
realizing their cognitive process is incapable of the long-term consequences of those decisions
and actions (Hawes, D.R., 2012).
To conclude, there must be more training and education throughout our communities as
well as our justice systems and schools in the area of empathy and its impact on our young
adolescents. Implementing such programs and awareness could provide these youths with
healthier minds and more productive functionality throughout these formative years into
adulthood, therefore as previously mentioned reducing juvenile delinquency and overall crime
rates, passing on invaluable legacies.
4. ADOLESCENT EMPATHY 4
References
Cherry, K., (2015), Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages, Retrieved from:
http://psychology.about.com/od/psychosocialtheories/fl/Psychosocial-Stages-Summary-
Chart.htm
Crimesolutions, gov. (2015) Juveniles: Delinquency Prevention, Retrieved from:
http://psychology.about.com/od/psychosocialtheories/fl/Psychosocial-Stages-Summary-
Chart.htm
Gervase, M. (n.d.), Adolescent Maladaptive Behaviors
Gordon, Lahey, Kawai, Loeber & Magda-Stouthamer-Loeber, and Farrington (2004),
Anti-social Behavior and Youth Gang Memberships, Retrieved from:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1745-9125.2004.tb00513.x/abstract
Hawes, D.R., (2012), The Adolescent Brain, Retrieved from:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/quilted-science/201208
Kennedy, A., (2008) Counseling Today; Impressing the Need for Empathy, Retrieved from:
http://ct.counseling.org/2008/05/impressing-the-need-for-empathy/
Nih.gov., (2006). Optimizing fmri Approaches to Adolescent Mental Disorders, Retrieved from:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-priorities/scientific-meetings/2006/optimizing-fmri-
approaches-to-adolescent-mental-disorders/index.shtml
