Learning Empathy

A Currere Reflection on Parenting, Medicine, and Education

Abstract

Empathy is a vital developmental skill and strategic pedagogical tool that entails having a generous regard toward fellow humans, whom we are willing to view with appreciation for their strengths and understanding for their weaknesses – and become part of one another’s relational support network (Brown, 2006). This was my mom’s gift as a person and as a professional: to see others for their strengths and welcome those strengths and that person into her life -- as a mom, doctor, and community member. I am grateful for these lessons in empathy, and aim to practice their applications across contexts and fields -- as a mom, educator, and researcher.