Empathy as a social change factor through youth participation

Abstract

This Bachelor’s thesis is a theoretical work based on an integrative literature review which explores empathy as determining factor for youth participation towards social change, bringing together an interdisciplinary understanding of empathy as a phenomenon and introduces the definition for youth participation. This thesis combines literature from authors such as Roman Krznaric, Barry Checkoway, M. Alex Wagaman, etc. that discuss the role of empathy and youth participation for social change from historical, educational, evolutionary and psychological standpoints, among others. After thorough review and discussions which combine research on empathy and youth participation together, examples are examined considering real events which illustrate all that has been brought up in terms of the role of empathy as social change factor through youth participation. Finally, the thesis analyses the essential role empathy has on altruistic behavior and finds an important element for engagement that youth experiences when participating: psychological empowerment. Considering youth as important agents of social change, empathic capacity development is a key to impact positively the society as well as the young people themselves. The aim of this thesis is to raise awareness on the importance of developing the empathy capacity in a more in-depth and in a wider diversity of contexts.