Gen Z, Empathy, and Charitable Giving

First Day Podcast

In this episode of the First Day Podcast, host Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D. is joined by Sara Konrath, Ph.D., a social psychology expert recognized for her research on empathy and its connection to philanthropic behavior. The conversation centers on recent findings from a study tracking empathy trends among Gen Z and Millennials. Initially, research from 1979 to 2009 revealed a concerning decline in empathy among young Americans, which was coupled with an increase in narcissism. However, new data shows a surprising "V-shaped" recovery in empathy starting around 2008, leaving researchers intrigued and searching for explanations. Dr. Konrath explores possible factors behind this unexpected rise in empathy, ruling out economic conditions and social media as primary causes. Despite the popular belief that social media contributes to declining empathy, the study suggests otherwise, showing an increase in empathy even as social media use grew. Dr. Konrath discusses the complex relationship between loneliness and empathy, suggesting that rising loneliness might be driving a heightened sense of empathy among young people, as they seek connection and respond to the distress of others. The episode also touches on the implications of these findings for the nonprofit sector. With empathy being a key motivator for charitable giving, the resurgence of empathy among younger generations offers a hopeful outlook for the future of philanthropy. Dr. Konrath emphasizes the importance of engaging Gen Z through meaningful volunteer opportunities, as their hunger for connection and desire to make a difference could translate into sustained philanthropic involvement, even if their current financial resources are limited.