I recently gave a presentation on the subject of empathy and sexuality. It's an exciting topic, I can tell you. I wasn't aware that we don't learn empathy until we're two or three years old. Our parents and those around us show us what joy, sadness, desire and other empathic behaviors mean.
And what makes you tick?
And so some people become total empaths, others become egoists or even narcissists. I found a study that I came across during my research particularly interesting.
This study involved a game between people who sometimes wore less clothing and sometimes more, showing more skin. In fact, when measuring areas of the brain that affect empathy, it was found that people who showed more skin often had less empathy. However, people who were fully clothed had significantly more empathic feelings. Very interesting! What does that mean?
In short
Do we learn from early childhood that people with less clothing are simply not as worthy of attention? If I, as a tall woman, were to wear shorts and a top, I would show a lot of skin, simply because of the length of my legs. Does that mean I am less valuable to the person I am talking to than if I were wearing long pants and a sweater?
So it's not always just the size that has something to do with other people's dislike, but it could also be due to the type of clothing?
Great thought experiment
The idea can be taken even further. Could it have something to do with empathy if we tall women are initially met with rejection rather than affection? Perhaps a tall person triggers fear and a short person triggers the protective instinct?
In any case, it is amazing what a big role empathy plays in our lives and how it influences the way we interact with each other. Have you ever caught yourself reacting coldly or even negatively/indifferently to strangers just because they were less dressed? Or because the person you were talking to was so much bigger than you?
Since I have been dealing with the topic of empathy and this study, I have been even more conscious of how I deal with other people. Some people cannot help their behavior, which I find incomprehensible, because they have grown up in a different way and have been taught different values and manners. This is not meant to be an excuse, but it does explain some things and allows me to react more calmly.
Be who you are
For me, one thing is clearly in focus: No one should allow themselves to be forced into a role that they don't belong in. Being an individual and yourself is much more important. All of this, coupled with tolerance and mutual respect, makes it easier to deal with other people.
Those who are empathetic towards their employees are also more successful in their professional lives, according to a US study: https://www.gala.de/lifestyle/liebe/laut-studie--empathie-ist-die-wichtigste-faehigkeit-fuer-erfolg-22601096.html
Intelligence and ambition are not the only things that count. So, show us your feelings.
Your Pamela
