Lack of response or support = Sign of the times?
If you open up in a relationship, friendship or otherwise, about a difficult time you are having in your life, such as grieving a loss in your family, facing impending layoffs at work, or a good friend or family member battling a terminal illness such as cancer, do you notice a lack of response or support more frequently?
In other words, does it seem like a sign of the times that there seems to be an overall lack of empathy in todays world? If so, what would be some reasons for this trend?
Interesting question!
I don't really agree that a lack of empathy is a sign of the times, although maybe here in England things are different from there in Chicago.
But on the other hand, it's maybe true that many of the problems of everyday life have been medicalized in recent times. Understandable sadness, for example, can get medicalized into a depressive disorder, and understandable concerns can get medicalized into an anxiety disorder. 7 Cups plays its part in that, it seems to me. Maybe pills and therapists have replaced human closeness to some extent. I'm not sure.
And I'm also not sure what effect the decline in religious faith has had. Some people who have a strong faith (not all) have always tended to lend their strength to others in time of need, and maybe there's less of that these days.
@AbbyHarris1976
@RarelyCharlie
Those are good points. 🙂
I do believe a lack of religious values could have to do with it, along with perhaps a lack of understanding of moral values.
@AbbyHarris1976 I'm not sure it's a sign of the times, necessarily, although I suppose that may depend. I think it can be a sign of the times of that particular relationship, though. I have done this (opened up to friends) only to find that the support I thought I'd get was not reciprocated. And now, in retrospect, I see it's because the friendship was over or close to it.
But I do see what you're saying and am astounded by the lack of empathy and compassion sometimes.
@ReadBooksDrinkTea
I agree that this could be related to specific issues or incidents rather than a spreading trend (thankfully).
Also, I visited my best friend C after work and ordered Mexican takeout dinner that we enjoyed. It was time well spent! 👍
@AbbyHarris1976
Interesting question :3 Mhmm, there are times when I do feel like I am not getting enough support or are not empathetic enough and I feel its because they just dont understand and situation might not seem like that big for them. Regarding sign of the times, I am from Nepal and people here are usually really down to earth and helpful. So I dont notice anything as such here to be fair. Most people genuinely care.