Empathy, key in the relationship between young people and older adults

Empathy, understood as the ability to put oneself in another’s shoes and understand their feelings and perspectives, becomes an essential tool to strengthen intergenerational relationships.

Those who master this soft skill (soft skill) manage to synchronize with the other person and make them feel that they deeply understand what they are going through. Empathy is an essential factor in human interaction and the search for well-being.

In a rapidly ageing society, the bond between young people and older adults takes on special relevance. As older people face challenges such as loneliness, loss of autonomy and declining health, empathy from younger people can make a significant difference to their quality of life.

People are living longer today than ever before. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the majority of the population has a life expectancy of 60 years or more, and it is projected that by 2030, one in six people in the world will be 60 years or older. By then, the population group aged 60 or older will have risen from 1 billion in 2020 to 1.4 billion.

The trend is similar in the country. Data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) indicate that older adults will go from representing 8.1% of the total population in 2012 to 11.5% in 2030, a trend that reflects the beginning of the population aging process. The largest number of older adults live in urban areas, with the highest concentration in Santa Cruz, La Paz and Cochabamba.

This Monday, August 26, Bolivia celebrates the Day of the Elderly, in recognition of the elderly, whose lives are marked by experiences, teachings and example.

Empathy, more than a virtue, a social necessity

According to psychology professionals, empathy is not only a desirable virtue, but a social necessity in the current context.

Mónica Messa, psychologist and professor of Psychology at Franz Tamayo University, Unifranz, explains that “empathy allows young people to connect emotionally with older adults, understand their needs and concerns, and provide them with more meaningful and appropriate support.”

This type of connection can alleviate the loneliness that many older adults experience and foster a sense of belonging and purpose.

The empathic relationship between young people and older adults not only benefits the older people. Young people also gain valuable life perspective by interacting with people who have lived through decades of experiences.

“These interactions can foster patience, tolerance and understanding in young people, qualities that are essential for personal and social development,” she adds.

In addition, older adults bring wisdom, stories, and life lessons that can enrich the learning and growth of young people. By sharing their experiences, older adults can offer younger generations a broader view of the world, encouraging them to reflect on their own lives and decisions.

“When young people learn to see the world from the perspective of older adults, deeper and more meaningful relationships develop, based on respect and mutual understanding,” says Messa.

Combating generational stereotypes

Often, barriers between generations arise from stereotypes and prejudices held by both groups. Young people often view older adults as old-fashioned or outdated, while older adults may perceive young people as irreverent or disinterested.

Empathy helps break down these barriers, promoting an open and honest dialogue where both parties feel heard and understood.

It is important for young people not to view older adults solely through the prism of dependency or illness, but to recognise them as people with rich stories, valuable skills and unique experiences that they can share. This shift in perspective is crucial to fostering an inclusive social environment, where all generations feel valued and respected.

“The empathy that must be shown towards this population cannot simply be the result of the reflection that one day we will reach that stage, but the awareness that they are above all people, an important part of society that contributed a lot to its construction and that, as a natural product of aging, they go through changes that need to be understood and taken into account with all their characteristics and needs,” says Clara Moscoso, a professor of Psychology at Unifranz.

How to develop empathy

Education and family play a key role in developing empathy. Educational programs that include intergenerational activities, such as oral history projects, tutoring, or volunteering in nursing homes, can be effective in cultivating empathy among young people. Families should also foster respect and understanding toward the elderly from an early age, promoting regular interaction and mutual care.

Community initiatives are also key. Creating spaces where young people and older adults can interact and share their lives is vital to building a more united and empathetic community. These spaces can include community centers, cultural activities, mentoring programs, and events that foster intergenerational collaboration.

Additionally, active listening and patience can be promoted among young people, the recovery of intergenerational learning, debates about personal stories or valuing this population as an important part of the history of society.

In a world where population ageing is an imminent reality, it is essential to foster intergenerational relationships based on empathy. This quality not only enriches the lives of older adults, but also provides young people with a deeper understanding of life and respect for all stages of human existence.

Fostering empathy between young people and older adults is essential to building a more inclusive and supportive society, where every person, regardless of age, feels valued and supported. It is an effort that requires the participation of everyone, from families, schools, communities, to society as a whole, bridging generational gaps and creating an environment in which each generation learns and grows alongside the other, forging bonds that transcend time and differences.