When teens and young adults are struggling with behavioral issues, it can often be difficult for parents to teach them how to have compassion towards others. Young people who are suffering from behavioral issues are often wrapped tightly into their own egocentric view and find it difficult to relate to others.

Why Is Empathy a Challenging Subject Matter for Troubled Young Adults?

Everyone is born with the ability to empathize with others because we are social creatures. Being born with the innate ability to have compassion for others does not mean a person will automatically listen to that inner voice that teaches them to appropriately respond to the needs and wants of those who surround them in life. [1]

While it is somewhat normal for young people to lack empathy, because of their obsession with self, troubled young adults face an even greater challenge because their view of the world and those around them is often skewed. Mental, behavioral, and emotional issues are all common in young people and can result in them appearing to have a “careless” attitude towards others.

When a person is depressed, defiant, or even addicted, they are ensconced in their own sheltered cocoon they have built to keep the world out because it might just hurt them. While there are many schools of thought on teaching teens and young adults to soften their hearts towards others, service seems to be the most viable option.

Why Does Giving Service to Others Promote Change in Individuals?

Studies have proven troubled young people respond well to the consistent opportunity of practicing kindness through service-oriented tasks. This has been shown to exponentially increase the healing and recovery process when behavioral issues and addictions are present.

The benefits of young adults serving others include:

  • Serving others helps them to realize they are not the sole occupant of the universe.
  • They receive positive feedback that increases their self-esteem and self-worth.
  • They are able to build lasting connections with their community.
  • Teens and young adults who volunteer at least one hour a week are 50% less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. (Search Institute)
  • They learn to form their own ideas and contribute them while receiving helpful feedback.
  • They begin to feel as if they have a true purpose that goes beyond just existing.

At The Crossroads Can Help Troubled Young Adults Find Their Inner Source Of Compassion

At The Crossroads understands how difficult it can be to help a troubled young adult wake up from their selfishness and begin to see the world around them with unclouded eyes. It can be difficult to transcend from childhood to adulthood and many simply do not successfully make the leap without intervention.

At The Crossroads is a young adult transitional living program that focuses on building trustful relationships between the residents and their therapeutic staff. Here, young adults are given the opportunity to explore life and receive treatment without the confines of a traditional treatment program.

Through boundless opportunities, young adults are offered the chance to learn life skills and participate in service-oriented tasks that not only increase their self-esteem but help them understand they are but a tiny part of a vast universe that is out there waiting for them to embrace it. At the Crossroads’ staff are standing by to help parents with the questions they need answers to.

[1] https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/promoting-empathy-your-teen/201209/is-it-normal-teenagers-lack-empathy
Is It Normal For Teenagers to Lack Empathy?