A Study on the Importance of Teaching Empathy in Hong Kong Schools Essay

A Study on the Importance of Teaching Empathy in Hong Kong Schools - Essay Example This essay declares that academicians in most schools believe that student performance in academics and extra curricular activities rely heavily on academic brilliance and intelligent quotient. But studies over the years undertaken in different parts of the world demonstrate that intelligent quotient and academic skills can no longer useful for producing socially responsible citizens. The social skill and humanistic considerations among the students depend, to a great extent, on the degree of empathy they possess and the patience they show in dealing with the mentally oppressed ones. In this context, the present study is relevant to examine the importance of empathy education in Hong Kong. Also the study seeks to measure the relationship between empathy education, social skills and academic performance. This paper makes a conclusion that students become merciless and unkind adults, which ultimately will lead to the development of a society where nobody can have humanitarian considerations. Many studies undertaken across countries have examined and documented the much debated issue of teaching empathy in schools and thereby developing their social skill. The results reveal that empathy is teachable and can be learnt by students. However, educators nowadays focus more on academic content than students’ psychological growth. The result is devastating that schools and colleges develop anti social behaviors of students. This leads many problems arise such as drug abusing, assaulting, sexual offending, etc. Educators neglect the origin of humanistic education. Therefore, it is indispensable to start teaching empathy at school level. At this juncture, the present study is an effort to examine the importance and effectiveness of teaching empathy in Hong Kong schools. This is carried out by studying the impact of teaching empathy on the children from various schools selected at random basis for the purpose of a sample survey. The paper also tries to throw lights on the correlation between empathy and academic outcomes. Research Problem Academicians in most schools believe that student performance in academics and extra curricular activities rely heavily on academic brilliance and intelligent quotient. But studies over the years undertaken in different parts of the world demonstrate that intelligent quotient and academic skills can no longer useful for producing socially responsible citizens. The social skill and humanistic considerations among the students depend, to a great extent, on the degree of empathy they possess and the patience they show in dealing with the mentally oppressed ones. In this context, the present study is relevant to examine the importance of empathy education in Hong Kong. Also the study seeks to