Valuing Care for Others

Let's Do This

As caring adults, we work hard to instill good values in our youth. Though, sometimes, the messages we send through our actions and modeling don't quite reflect the same things we say. In a report by Harvard's Making Caring Common Project, the majority of youth surveyed value aspects of personal success over concern for others. While personal success, such as in the form of achievement and personal happiness, is important, a lack of care for others is concerning. Now especially, we must make sure that we're showing youth the value in caring for others - not just ourselves - and modeling that for them.  

Stay Inspired

How can we help instill the value of care and fairness in youth? The Making Caring Common report has some suggestions: 

• Provide youth opportunities to practice caring and being helpful.
• Help youth broaden their circle of concern by understanding those close to them as well as perspectives from others.
• Ensure that youth have strong moral role models and mentors.
• Guide youth in managing negative or destructive feelings and learning to cope with them in healthy ways. 

To learn more about the Making Caring Common Project by the Harvard Graduate School of Education, visit their website here. There you can find additional reports and research along with resources for families and educators.