I have a Gen alpha niece. One time a couple years ago she was gleefully ripping up grass and I mildly scolded her and said she shouldn’t do that. She asked why not. I said because if everyone did that, there wouldn’t be any grass. She genuinely seemed baffled by that concept and thought it was idiotic. I’m pretty sure that was thoroughly pounded into my head by age 5. She has an awful mother and my brother is a meh parent but still. I’ve gotten the strong sense she just doesn’t have much empathy for others. Maybe it is partially generational?
(Sorry, I have a hatred for lawns that probably stems from being forced to mow as a kid.)
Also, I think children are sociopaths naturally. I know I was. I think there are studies that show empathy doesn’t fully develop until later in life. It’s also one reason child soldiers are used.
I have a Gen alpha niece. One time a couple years ago she was gleefully ripping up grass and I mildly scolded her and said she shouldn’t do that. She asked why not. I said because if everyone did that, there wouldn’t be any grass. She genuinely seemed baffled by that concept and thought it was idiotic. I’m pretty sure that was thoroughly pounded into my head by age 5. She has an awful mother and my brother is a meh parent but still. I’ve gotten the strong sense she just doesn’t have much empathy for others. Maybe it is partially generational?
Each subsequent geration seem to get less in person social/play time. Probably correlates.
Fuck grass, especially non-native grasses.
(Sorry, I have a hatred for lawns that probably stems from being forced to mow as a kid.)
Also, I think children are sociopaths naturally. I know I was. I think there are studies that show empathy doesn’t fully develop until later in life. It’s also one reason child soldiers are used.