Sympathy: Be the Example
By: Neil Siskind
Some kids are born with the ability to sympathize. Some need to be taught. Some kids have it inside them but need to see how it applies. Some are born without any sympathetic emotions at all. Some kids learn to ignore feelings or thoughts of sympathy and numb themselves to others due to their own problems. Some have anger so great that it far outweighs and overcomes any ability to sympathize.
If you want kids to have sympathy, and to show sympathy, and to not harm others out of rage, ignorance or confusion, then make time to teach it. Make time to teach a kid without a father what it means to have sympathy. Taking your time to do this shows sympathy towards a child and his or her circumstances- and is the most powerful way to engender and ignite his or her feelings of sympathy for others.
Learn more about The Fatherhood Assignment here: http://www.neil-siskind-the-fatherhood-assignment.org/