A 25-year study reveals how empathy is passed from parents to teens to their future children

By: Jessica A. Stern, Pomona College and Joseph P. Allen, University of Virginia, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: November 15, 2025

Words: 711

Last Updated: 1 week, 2 days ago

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Our 2024 research found that parents who express empathy toward their teenagers may give teens a head start in developing the skill themselves. In addition, adolescents who show empathy and support toward their friends are more likely to become supportive parents, which may foster empathy in their own offspring.

How we did our work

The KLIFF/VIDA study at the University of Virginia has tracked 184 adolescents for more than 25 years: …

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