The Future of Empathy: Teaching the Millennial Generation
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Nadine Dolby
Nadine Dolby (ndolby@purdue.edu) is professor of education at Purdue University. Her most recent book is Rethinking Multicultural Education for the Next Generation: The New Empathy and Social Justice (Routledge, 2012).
Abstract
Recent research points to a 40% decline in college students’ capacity for empathy over the past 4 decades (Konrath, O’Brien, & Hsing, 2011). In this article, the author reflects on undergraduates’ reaction to the case study “Toys for Haiti,” which the author created and designed to foster empathy in her students. She provides an overview of the downturn in empathy among this generation, and discusses research that demonstrates that changing daily culture can substantially increase capacity for empathy and understanding. She concludes with a discussion of why empathy is a critical and necessary skill for both individual students and for the future of the planet.
About the author
Nadine Dolby (ndolby@purdue.edu) is professor of education at Purdue University. Her most recent book is Rethinking Multicultural Education for the Next Generation: The New Empathy and Social Justice (Routledge, 2012).
© 2014 by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co.
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- Book Excerpt
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- Invited Feature Article
- Faculty Impact on Students of Color
- Peer Reviewed Article
- Predicting the Presence of Purpose Through the Self-Efficacy Beliefs of One’s Talents
- Best Practices
- Undergraduate Certificate in Leadership Studies: An Opportunity for Seamless Learning
- Designing and Implementing a Successful Gender-Neutral Housing Community
- Opinions and Perspectives
- The Future of Empathy: Teaching the Millennial Generation
- International Perspectives
- International Comparative Student Affairs: How International and Comparative Higher Education Impacts Our Work With Students
- Ethical Issues on Campus
- Respecting and Supporting Students’ Affective Learning
- What They’re Reading
- Facilitating the Moral Growth of College Students
Articles in the same Issue
- Book Excerpt
- An Excerpt from Cool Passion: Challenging Higher Education
- Invited Feature Article
- Faculty Impact on Students of Color
- Peer Reviewed Article
- Predicting the Presence of Purpose Through the Self-Efficacy Beliefs of One’s Talents
- Best Practices
- Undergraduate Certificate in Leadership Studies: An Opportunity for Seamless Learning
- Designing and Implementing a Successful Gender-Neutral Housing Community
- Opinions and Perspectives
- The Future of Empathy: Teaching the Millennial Generation
- International Perspectives
- International Comparative Student Affairs: How International and Comparative Higher Education Impacts Our Work With Students
- Ethical Issues on Campus
- Respecting and Supporting Students’ Affective Learning
- What They’re Reading
- Facilitating the Moral Growth of College Students
