Parents poll do you think that empathy can be taught
EXCERPT:

Thank you for sharing your feelings, experiences, and suggestions with other parents. You wrote from the heart, and we appreciate how forthright and specific you were in responding to these questions. We're sorry we can't include what everyone said, but we hope that what's here will help you consider your own situation.

90% of you said that empathy can be taught; 10% said it can't.

Among those of you who feel empathy can be taught the word "example" came up over and over again. You said that parents need to set an example in their own behavior, and point out to children when an empathic response is appropriate, especially when it isn't obvious to them.

When we asked you "Which hurtful behaviors have you seen or heard about?" here's how you responded.

91% reported teasing.
84% witnessed their kids excluding others.
71% heard kids say mean things behind someone's back.
68% observed kids bullying others.
60% heard kids mocking others.

The other hurtful experiences some of you described included

physical violence,
discrimination to the whole family,
deliberately ignoring someone over a period of time,
tattling ("telling on someone for something they didn't do"),
whispering in front of someone,
saying mean things to someone about their religion, color, or race,
ganging up on one child to exclude him,
stealing,
pushing,
shoving,
biting,
kicking.

In response to the question "With which people do your kids find it especially challenging to be empathetic?" you said the biggest challenge for your children is showing empathy toward the people closest to home.

48% of you said that kids have a hard time empathizing with their siblings.
32% of you said that kids have a hard time empathizing with you, their parents.

Outside the home, you said your children find it challenging to be empathic toward

kids of the opposite the gender (17%),
younger kids (14%),
elderly people (13%),
people of different backgrounds (13%),
people with disabilities (11%).

Some of you added that your kids have most trouble empathizing with their peers because they are set in competition with them. Others described, and often lamented, their kids' lack of empathy for those who are; not cool, introverted or socially awkward, overweight, poorer, bullies, smart and flaunt it.