Mary Gordon: Roots of Empathy's Impact

Mary Gordon discusses the research showing that Roots of Empathy reduces aggression, boosts emotional literacy, and creates more caring children.

[@TheConvivialCreator]

Interesting point Martinbeco. I often though my children were more open to other people because we did that when they were little. Out of the five children in my ex-husbands family 4 of us has babies at the same time. We passed them around and shared them. The grand parents always had one to hold. Eventually there were 13 babies. I'm not saying you have to have big families to have happy babies, but more loving arms and faces are a good thing.

[@LeanoraEmbodyTruth]

I don't feel that aggression is the problem. I feel how we react to aggression when it arises is the issue. Aggression is an energy which is part of being human. It is a life force energy that helps establish a sense of self, integrity and boundaries. Acting it out in a dysfunctional way is the problem. Helping would be more about listening, hearing, empathically sensing what is called for... I think we are the model for children. Parents are traumatized and that is what is messing up the kids. If parents could show up with their own emotional stuff, it would make a big difference. I agree in the motivation here, however, some of the wording is not resonating to me.

[@gullyteardrop7101]

Well said

[@drsilviacasabianca7666]

I think both aggression, our perception of what another person does as aggressive and the way we respond are three aspects of the same. There is no evidence to support the fact that we're born aggressive. The fight or flight response is a potential at birth... the brain structures are there so that we can respond to perceive threats. No displays of aggression are necessary if we grow up in a safe environment.

[@kimbobaloola7932]

what about kids who've had to grow up around and a victim of aggression.....they become over empathic and become walked over trying to get peoples approval in adult life :(((((

[@daggawagga]

I know the feeling :(

[@Cowglow]

they need love too.

[@martinbeco]

I wonder how many Americans know this fact: Cradle deaths for babies are higher in the US than in Mexico. Reason: American babies are only carried by their parents. In Mexico, babies are carried by all relatives who love them. That makes the baby feel loved.

[@TheIHVPNetwork]

I'm not even sure how I'm still here----with my sanity in tack.

[@tyfswax00]

I am confused how coddeling your baby is related to the program.