Cultural Barriers
Some things that hinder empathy are related to:
- Personal Bias;
- Different Values;
- Language differences; or
- Ethnicity.
Cultural Solutions
Some simple ways we can address the cultural barriers to empathy are to…
Be Self-Aware:
- Identify your own biases and prejudices;
- Challenge your own preconceived ideas of what and who people are;
- Recognize biases and prejudices in others.
Focus on Others:
- Learn about other ethnic groups and cultures;
- Learn what gestures they deem respectful/disrespectful;
- Look for opportunities to connect to others;
- Find things you have in common instead of ways you differ;
Put it into Practice:
- Remember Empathy seeks to understand and moves toward compassion (which moves into action)
- Keep in mind Sympathy is a feeling. (Feeling sorry for them but not doing anything to help)
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