As most of us know either from our own kids or interaction with other’s kids, teenagers can be moody, confusing and seem to lack empathy. How can we cultivate sensitivity in our teens especially teen boys?
New research published in Developmental Psychology, shows that biology, not parenting, is to blame for insensitive and selfish behavior by teenagers.
The Wall Street Journal reports that cognitive empathy, the mental ability to take others’ perspective, begins rising steadily in girls at age 13. However, boys don’t begin to show gains in perspective-taking until age 15, which helps in problem-solving and avoiding conflict.