The onslaught of television and death
of communities is making us more self-centred and lacking in empathy, says an
American psychiatrist
Dr Bruce Perry (recently visiting NZ)
said society has become starved of relationships, which is contributing to
changes in our brain. But his research into a more selfish society conflicts with
some Generation ‘Y’ers, (30-40 year olds) who say technology is creating a new
type of global community.
More than 60 years ago the family
spent a lifetime in a single community, surrounded by relatives and a wealth of
relationships. Now, families are constantly on the move, the television has
become our evening companion and dinner at the table is no longer a norm.
Perry said this shift in society is
having an effect on the areas in our brains that determine empathy. "There
is tremendous social isolation," he said. “When you have grown up in an
environment like that you tend to be more . . . socially immature, so more self-centred
and more self absorbed.”
Friendships and family add laughter,
conversation and kinship to our lives, he said. Taking that away leaves a gap
to be filled. “If you are isolated and have relationship poverty . . . You'll
eat more, or seek other diversions or rewards that aren't healthy.”
However, he said there was hope if
people regulated their own and children's screen time and pushed for more
nurturing relationships.
“Hey, we Christians know all this stuff! Cain was the first
recorded murderer with no empathy who said: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” If we
do not close ranks with our families and community of faith, we will find many
more ‘Cain’s’ are growing amongst us.”
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