Shaping Minds, Opening Hearts: The Role of Parenting in Building Bias Awareness and Empathy in Teens and Young Adults

by Dr. Wesley Sassaman, DNP, MSN-NE, MPH, MBA, FNP-C, CARN-AP

1. Introduction

Parenting teens and young adults can often feel like standing at the edge of a whirlwind, trying to make sense of the forces shaping who they are becoming. From my work with this population navigating substance use and mental health challenges, I’ve seen firsthand how their internal biases and empathy gaps often act as invisible engines driving their struggles. This isn’t about character flaws or poor decisions. These biases and empathy deficits are survival mechanisms, born out of a world they are still working to understand while grappling with the immense pressure of growing up.

The teen and young adult years are a period of rapid neurodevelopment, where the brain’s prefrontal cortex is still maturing, leaving them prone to cognitive shortcuts and absolutist thinking. It’s why you might hear phrases like “Nobody cares about me” or see them overvaluing peer approval. At the same time, their limbic system, the brain's emotional center, is in overdrive, amplifying feelings and reactions. For example, a teen or young adult may adopt an “us vs. them” mindset to defend against rejection or tether their self-worth to academic performance, viewing failure as a catastrophic blow. Empathy often takes a backseat, particularly when depression or anxiety dominates their inner landscape. It’s not that their compassion has disappeared; it’s just buried beneath the overwhelming weight of navigating their own pain.

Social media and peer dynamics only add fuel to this fire, rewarding polarized narratives, conformity, and comparison over authentic connection. Substance use can then become their escape hatch, a temporary way to numb the pain of feeling “less than” or to forge a false sense of belonging in a world that feels relentlessly critical and isolating. What’s troubling is how much of this mirrors broader societal patterns. Stigma around mental health, the digital culture’s fixation on division and outrage, and myths of lone-wolf self-reliance often leave this population feeling more isolated than supported.

The good news? These patterns aren’t permanent. Biases, empathy gaps, and even maladaptive behaviors like substance use are not inherently who they are; they are symptoms of a brain still developing and a spirit trying to find its place. Empathy and flexible thinking can be nurtured, creating a foundation for healthy relationships and thoughtful decision-making. For parents, this means focusing less on “fixing” your teen or young adult and more on building trust, encouraging emotional depth, and reminding them that they belong just as they are.

If you've found yourself wondering how to support your teen or young adult through these complicated dynamics, you're in the right place. This article will explore the crucial factors impacting their natural biases and empathy, unravel the challenges they face, and help you discover ways to empower them to grow into compassionate, emotionally aware adults. Together, we’ll make sense of the whirlwind. To begin, we must first examine how biases and empathy develop during these formative years and the intricate ways they interact to shape behavior, relationships, and decision-making. Understanding these foundations will shed light on the challenges teens and young adults encounter and provide insights into how parents and caregivers can guide them through this critical phase.

2. Understanding Bias and Empathy in Teens and Young Adults

Have you noticed your teen or young adult viewing the world through an “us vs. them” lens? Or perhaps they approach conflicts in stark black-and-white terms, leaving little room for compromise. It’s important to remember that these tendencies aren’t markers of who they are as people, but rather reflect the ways their developing brains are processing emotions and relationships. Bias and empathy, two critical yet intertwined traits, evolve significantly during these years and shape how young people think, feel, and respond in their social spheres. Understanding this process can help you support their emotional growth while navigating some of these rocky moments together.

Where Bias Begins and How It Shows Up

Bias is a natural by-product of how young minds process the world. One example is intergroup empathy bias, where teens and young adults tend to show more empathy toward friends or those they identify as similar, while being less understanding of others who seem “different.” This dynamic often starts in childhood, hard-wired as a survival mechanism, and research confirms humans generally show greater compassion toward their “in-group” (Tompkins et al., 2023).

In schools, sports teams, or neighborhood cliques, you might see your teen passionately align themselves with their group, sometimes to the exclusion of others. For example, during a school rivalry, their team might emerge as “the good guys” while the opposing side becomes the “enemy,” even if it’s in good fun. While this loyalty can be endearing, it reflects a bias that might also play out in more personal or high-stakes interactions, such as with peers from diverse backgrounds.

Another common manifestation is hostile attribution bias. Think about the moments when your teen assumes someone’s actions were meant to hurt them, even when no harm was intended. Maybe they come home upset after believing a classmate purposefully ignored them. This tendency to interpret neutral behavior as hostile is a protective instinct but isn’t always accurate. Studies suggest that family dynamics and emotional environments at home can also influence hostile attribution bias (Wei et al., 2022). Understanding this can help you reframe conflicts with your teen in a way that tempers assumptions and broadens their perspective.

Empathy as the Counterbalance

Empathy is the key to breaking down these biases. It’s the ability to step into someone else’s shoes, and it has both emotional and cognitive elements. Emotional empathy allows us to feel what others feel, while cognitive empathy helps us understand someone else’s perspective. During the teen and young adult years, cognitive empathy becomes especially critical as it fosters thoughtful, less reactive decision-making.

Consider how empathy can serve as a protective factor. Research shows it’s strongly associated with reducing harmful behaviors like cyberbullying. Young people with stronger empathy are less likely to target others based on traits like religion or ethnicity because they can imagine the pain those comments would cause (Hinduja & Patchin, 2022).

Here’s an example of empathy in action. Take a teen named Jake, who reacted poorly when his younger brother borrowed something without asking. Instead of just grounding Jake, his dad asked him to think about how his brother felt, wanting to be part of Jake’s world. By gently nudging Jake to see things from another point of view, his dad planted a seed of understanding that not every disagreement is about malice.

Growing Empathy

Empathy isn’t developed in isolation. Positive experiences at home, school, or even through friendships can deepen a young person’s capacity to connect with others. For instance, schools that promote collaboration over competition often see students stepping in to defend vulnerable classmates or mediate disputes (Smith & Stamoulis, 2023).

One of the biggest contributors to empathy growth is secure attachment. Teens and young adults who feel supported, valued, and heard in their family relationships are more likely to show care and emotional support for their friends (Stern et al., 2021). Small actions, like being curious about their day, validating their feelings when they vent, or spending distraction-free time together, have a significant ripple effect. These small investments help create emotionally safe spaces for them to replicate in other relationships.

That said, there are roadblocks that can hinder empathy. Mental health struggles, such as anxiety or depression, can leave teens too focused on their own challenges to fully engage with others. Similarly, exposure to discrimination or toxic social environments can stunt their ability to trust or care deeply. By acknowledging these factors, you can approach these difficulties with understanding, guiding your teen or young adult toward balance and openness.

Hope for Change

The wonderful thing about the teen and young adult years is that biases are not set in stone, and empathy can be cultivated. Activities like volunteering, discussing diverse viewpoints at family meals, or reflecting together about different social experiences can help your child practice stepping into others’ shoes. Research highlights that programs focused on empathy development promote behaviors such as helping peers, resolving conflicts, and standing up to prejudice (Van der Graaff et al., 2018).

When those inevitable moments happen where your teen makes snap judgments or shows biases, remember this is all part of a learning curve. Be patient and model empathy in your own actions, whether it’s discussing conflicts in a calm way or showing kindness to people in your community. Something as small as an off-hand comment about someone else’s perspective can leave a lasting impression on how your child views the world.

Bias and empathy are profoundly intertwined. One often diminishes as the other grows. By nurturing your teen or young adult’s empathy, you’ll help them see others through a more compassionate lens, soften hurtful biases, and form stronger connections. From here, we’ll explore how these traits are shaped not just by experiences but by biology and the developments happening in their rapidly changing brains. By understanding the “why” behind their behaviors, we can find even better ways to support them.

 

3. The Brain’s Role in Bias and Empathy

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why teens and young adults act impulsively, process emotions differently, or struggle to consider someone else’s perspective during heated arguments, you’re not alone. What often feels like emotional chaos can actually be explained through the fascinating development happening inside their brains. Understanding the biological foundations of bias and empathy not only makes sense of your teen’s behavior but also offers insight into how you can better guide and influence their growth.

Key Neural Pathways in Empathy

Empathy doesn’t just emerge out of nowhere; it’s rooted in activity within specific regions of the brain. The anterior cingulate cortex, insula, and medial prefrontal cortex are the stars of this intricate system. These regions work together during moments where someone “feels the feelings” of another, whether it’s the physical pain of watching a friend scrape their knee or the heartache of hearing about someone’s breakup (Oliva et al., 2024).

For example, say your teen sees a classmate drop their books in a crowded hallway. If their empathy is well-developed, these brain regions light up and generate not only an emotional response (“Oh no, that must be embarrassing”) but also motivate action (“I’ll help pick up the books”). Such seemingly simple acts are the result of complex neural coordination!

Another key player in this process is the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which helps regulate emotions and promotes thoughtful responses rather than reactive ones. This part of the brain is still developing well into a young person’s twenties, which explains why teens aren’t always able to manage their emotions consistently, especially under stress (Lian et al., 2025).

Where Bias Hides in the Brain

While empathy leans on certain brain regions, biases can also emerge from specific neural activities. For instance, racial ingroup bias, or the tendency to empathize more strongly with those perceived as being “like us,” involves heightened activity in the anterior cingulate cortex and insula, yet in a slightly tweaked manner. Research suggests these reactions are influenced by the oxytocinergic system, which regulates social bond formation. This system can amplify group loyalty but inadvertently reinforce biases against those perceived as outsiders (Duan et al., 2024).

This isn’t to say biases are permanent or unchangeable. The teen and young adult years remain a period where the brain is remarkably flexible, meaning biases can be challenged and reshaped with supportive guidance and intentional exposure to diverse perspectives.

The Impact of Fentanyl and Other Synthetic Drugs

Substance use, particularly with powerful drugs like fentanyl, can disrupt these neural processes in profound ways. Synthetic opioids can interfere with the brain’s natural reward pathways and significantly affect cognitive control. For example, regions like the ventral tegmental area, which connects emotion and decision-making systems, become less effective at regulating behaviors (Hubbard et al., 2024).

This is why teens who use substances may experience intensified challenges managing emotions or making empathetic decisions. They might struggle more to disengage from conflict, assume others’ intentions are negative, or alienate supportive friends who care for them.

One striking finding is that substance use lowers empathy levels while accelerating negative biological processes like epigenetic aging, creating consequences that stretch well beyond the immediate high (Goering et al., 2024). The very empathy teens rely on to connect with peers and navigate social conflicts becomes dulled, further isolating them.

A Practical Application for Parents

But here’s the reassuring part: knowing the science behind the behaviors gives you a stronger foundation to guide your teen or young adult toward better decisions and healthier connections. For example, if you recognize moments where emotional regulation seems off, gently encouraging self-reflection can activate the prefrontal cortex. Consider this scenario:

Imagine your teen has a meltdown after a minor mistake in their school project. Instead of rushing straight to “fix it,” you might instead ask, “What would you say to someone else in your shoes right now?” This simple question redirects the focus outward, helping them access their cognitive empathy while calming their emotional response.

Additionally, fostering environments where empathy can flourish might include family discussions about real-world issues, community volunteering, or reading stories with diverse perspectives. These activities not only strengthen neural circuits involved in empathy but also naturally counter biases.

Why This Matters

The teen and young adult years mark a time of incredible brain growth, presenting both challenges and opportunities. While substance abuse, biases, and emotional struggles can feel overwhelming, they’re also areas where parents and caregivers can make a transformative impact. By understanding the science behind their experiences, you’re equipped to support their emotional maturity and help shape the pathways that lead to kindness, connection, and thoughtful decision-making.

Next, we’ll look into how your parenting style directly influences the way your teen or young adult develops empathy and overcomes biases. Together, we’ll explore actionable steps you can take to use this critical window of opportunity to its fullest potential.

4. Parenting Styles and Their Influence on Empathy and Bias

If you’ve reflected on how your parenting style might be shaping your teen or young adult’s perspective on empathy, bias, and relationships, then you’re already taking an important step. Parenting isn’t one-size-fits-all, and the way you approach discipline, emotional connection, and boundaries has a powerful impact on how your child learns to see and relate to others. Understanding these dynamics will equip you to guide them with intention, helping them develop empathy while overcoming harmful biases.

Parenting styles can generally be divided into three main categories, each influencing young people’s emotional growth in different ways. While every family dynamic is unique, exploring the trends in how each style affects empathy and bias can provide useful insights.

Authoritative Parenting

Authoritative parenting strikes a balance between warmth and structure, and research consistently shows that this approach fosters some of the best outcomes for teens and young adults. By combining clear expectations with emotional support, authoritative parents create an environment where their children feel both secure and empowered to grow.

For instance, when parents encourage open conversations about emotions and decisions, teens learn to process their feelings openly and empathize with others. Studies highlight how this parenting style promotes empathy development, which in turn supports prosocial behaviors like helping others and standing up against injustice (Ricon & Katz, 2024).

Imagine a parent who calmly discusses the impact of mean-spirited teasing, encouraging their teen to consider how the jokes might feel to someone else. Over time, these moments nudge young adults toward emotional awareness.

Further, authoritative parenting reduces the likelihood of developing harmful biases by encouraging moral reasoning. This approach allows room for mistakes while guiding teens to reflect on their actions. For example, when a teen makes a snap judgment about someone new, an authoritative parent might ask, “What could you learn if you gave them a chance to share their story?” Such conversations challenge biases in a way that feels both thoughtful and kind.

Authoritarian Parenting

On the opposite side of the spectrum is authoritarian parenting, characterized by high demands but low emotional warmth. This “my way or the highway” approach can sometimes foster rigid thinking and increase the tendency toward bias.

Because authoritarian parents place heavy emphasis on obedience and control, their teens may internalize the idea that the world is rigidly divided into “right” and “wrong.” This black-and-white thinking, while instilling discipline, can inadvertently strengthen biases such as right-wing authoritarianism or social dominance orientation (Van Hiel et al., 2024). These biases often stem from viewing others as fundamentally different or unequal in value, complicating efforts to foster empathy.

For example, if discipline overwhelms communication, teens might struggle to see issues from others’ perspectives. They may approach conflicts with friends or peers rigidly, assuming the worst without considering context. Imagine a teen labeled as disrespectful during a class discussion expressing a controversial opinion. Without the skills to explore alternative views, the situation might spiral into misunderstanding or exclusion.

Permissive Parenting

Permissive parenting, by contrast, provides plenty of warmth and responsiveness but with few boundaries or structures in place. While this creates a loving environment, it may leave teens without guidance for managing challenges like social pressures or conflicts. Teens in permissive households may excel in emotional expression but struggle to regulate their behavior or take accountability for their actions. This lack of structure can inadvertently prevent them from developing the empathy and moral responsibility needed to counter biases (Wu & Su, 2024).

Imagine a permissive parent responding to sibling arguments by brushing them off instead of helping both children understand each other’s feelings. Over time, this avoids opportunities to nurture resolution skills.

That said, the warmth of permissive parenting can still help teens experience emotional safety, a key ingredient in empathy development. By building on this foundation with clearer boundaries and intentional discussions about accountability, parents can nurture deeper emotional intelligence as their children grow.

Empathy as the Bridge

Regardless of style, we know that empathy remains a powerful mediator in shaping how biases evolve. Teens with higher levels of empathy are not only more aware of how others feel but also less likely to hold onto rigid stereotypes or engage in harmful social behaviors, like exclusion or bullying (Hinduja & Patchin, 2022).

Think about a teen named Sarah, whose parents made a habit of encouraging her to think carefully before posting on social media. After a reflective conversation, Sarah refrains from sharing a post that might alienate classmates of a different background. These discussions build both her empathy and her sense of personal responsibility.

Why Your Parenting Style Matters

Parenting is an evolving process, and no approach is without its challenges. The key lies in finding a balance that resonates with both you and your child. Combining structure with warmth, openness with accountability, creates an environment where your teen or young adult can thrive emotionally.

Even if the path feels imperfect at times, the conversations you have, the boundaries you set, and the love you show all leave lasting imprints. When parents model empathy, discuss biases, and offer tools for navigating emotional challenges, they send the message that growth is always possible.

By learning more about how parenting styles influence empathy and bias, you’re taking proactive steps to support your child’s social and emotional development. Next, we’ll explore the broader societal influences surrounding empathy and how they shape substance use, biases, and resilience among teens and young adults. Together, we’re investing in the long-term well-being of the next generation.

5. Intervening to Support Empathy and Reduce Substance Use

Supporting teens and young adults as they grow isn’t always straightforward, especially when it feels like so much is competing for their time, attention, and emotions. If you’ve wondered how to best guide your child toward building healthier relationships, making sound decisions, and avoiding substance use, you’re not alone. Thankfully, we have evidence-based strategies that can help foster empathy, combat negative biases, and reduce risky behaviors.

The Role of Empathy in Protecting Against Substance Use

Empathy is more than just a “nice-to-have” quality; it’s a protective factor against many challenges your child might face. When teens or young adults develop the ability to step into someone else’s shoes, they’re far less likely to turn to substance use as a way to cope. Research has shown that those with higher empathy levels tend to engage in more positive social behaviors and are better equipped to resist peer pressure or harmful trends (Goering et al., 2024).

Take, for instance, a teen named Michael. He’s at a party where his friends are urging him to try a vape. Because of past conversations with his parents about peer pressure and self-compassion, he takes a breath and thinks about how anxious he might feel later if he gave in. Reflecting on his values and how his choices impact himself and others, Michael decides to walk away. This isn’t just luck; it’s the result of parental guidance and growing empathy shaping his decision-making.

How Parents Can Cultivate Empathy

Fostering empathy starts at home with daily interactions. Simple steps such as actively listening to your teen’s concerns, validating their feelings, and modeling compassionate behavior can make a world of difference. Setting aside time for conversations about real-world issues, or even volunteering together as a family, can help teens learn to relate to others’ emotions and experiences.

Programs aimed at improving empathy, such as those that encourage teamwork or service-learning activities, have been shown to reduce harmful behaviors and increase prosocial actions among young people (Van der Graaff et al., 2018). You might consider introducing your teen to activities that connect them with diverse communities or perspectives. For example, discussing stories about people facing struggles different from their own not only breaks down biases but also helps solidify their ability to connect emotionally and thoughtfully with others.

Addressing Societal Stigma

Sometimes, teens’ reluctance to open up or seek help is rooted in societal stigma, particularly surrounding mental health or substance use. Teens often pick up on these stigmas from their surroundings, which can affect their willingness to express vulnerability or ask for support. Research emphasizes that removing stigma starts with education and empathetic conversations at home (Flam-Ross & Zampini, 2024).

Consider discussing stigma outright. A frank conversation might start with asking, “What do your friends think about people who get help for anxiety or who choose not to drink at parties?” By modeling openness, you make it easier for your teen to share their own thoughts or experiences.

Enhancing Social Skills to Build Resilience

Developing key social skills like self-control, assertiveness, and the ability to set boundaries also helps teens resist negative influences, including substance use. Social and emotional learning programs or even role-playing scenarios at home can allow your child to practice navigating challenging interactions.

Think about a teen like Sofia, preparing for a group project where tensions are high. Guided by previous encouragement from her parents, she navigates the conflict with calm words and collaboration, de-escalating the situation rather than letting emotions take control. These moments are not just about getting good grades but about learning life-long skills that help teens build healthy relationships and resist pressures.

Evidence-Based Interventions

Besides day-to-day parenting strategies, there are broader interventions proven to reduce substance use while enhancing empathy. Programs that promote social connection and empathy development, like youth mentoring or mental health workshops, have been shown to lower risky behaviors in teens and young adults (Wu et al., 2024). Virtual reality interventions, for example, can help young people see the world from another’s perspective, reducing bias and increasing understanding across cultures and experiences (Tay et al., 2025).

There’s also a trickle-down effect when adults in a teen’s life, such as teachers, community leaders, or coaches, engage in stigma reduction and empathy-building efforts. Advocating for community programs aimed at developing these skills broadens your child’s support network while reinforcing the positive lessons they learn at home.

Why Your Role Matters

Your efforts, no matter how small they may seem, truly matter. Every purposeful conversation, every moment of patience, and every opportunity for empathy growth helps shape who your child is becoming. But understanding and fostering empathy isn’t just about guiding your child alone; it’s also about recognizing the broader influences around them.

In Section 6, we’ll explore how external factors, like peer dynamics, community environments, and societal pressures, intertwine with your efforts at home. Together, we’ll uncover strategies to empower teens and young adults to not only resist negative influences but also thrive as compassionate, self-aware individuals prepared to face life’s challenges.

6. Broadening Their Worldview

When it comes to raising compassionate, resilient teens and young adults, creating a supportive foundation at home is only the beginning. The truth is, they don’t grow up in a vacuum. Teens and young adults are profoundly influenced by the environments they encounter outside the home, whether it’s the classroom, their social circles, or broader societal pressures. These external factors can reinforce or erode the values and skills you nurture in them, from empathy to self-control. Understanding how these forces shape their development can help you empower them as they step further into the world.

Peer Dynamics and Social Influence

You’ve probably noticed how sensitive teens can be to what their friends think. This isn’t just a phase; it’s an essential part of their social and emotional development. Their peers often become mirrors for self-reflection, shaping both their confidence and their values. At its best, this dynamic helps teens and young adults gain the social skills they’ll carry into adulthood. But it can also come with challenges.

One study emphasized the positive role of peer influence when paired with strong social skills like assertiveness and empathy. These skills act as a buffer against risky behaviors, such as experimenting with substances or engaging in harmful actions toward others (Greenwood et al., 2023).

Imagine a teen named Mia, who finds herself in a group where friends pressure each other to shoplift as a “bonding” experience. Thanks to role-playing conversations her parents had set up at home, Mia confidently outs herself as the voice of reason and encourages her friends to rethink their actions.

Social dynamics are an opportunity to help your teen build resilience. Encourage open dialogue by simply asking, “Has anyone in your group ever asked you to do something you were uncomfortable with? How would you handle it next time?”

The Impact of School Culture

At school, your teen or young adult’s experience can feel like a microcosm of the wider world. Depending on the environment, they may find themselves supported or excluded, validated or judged. Schools that promote collaborative learning often bolster their capacity for empathy. Research suggests classrooms where teamwork is prioritized see fewer instances of bullying and more acts of kindness, as students learn the value of shared goals (Smith & Stamoulis, 2023).

If your teen comes home upset because they felt “left out” of a group project or social clique, listen first. Offer a space to unpack how they felt and explore possibilities together for improving the next experience. Something as simple as encouraging them to sit with someone new at lunch or invite a quieter peer to join an activity can build both courage and empathy.

Navigating Community and Societal Expectations

Whether it’s through media, social norms, or even unspoken expectations in your community, teens and young adults are incredibly perceptive about the “rules” society imposes. Unfortunately, stigma around topics like substance use or mental health often compounds feelings of shame or isolation, making it harder for them to ask for help when they need it most.

A study on stigma reduction highlighted the power of honest, judgment-free family discussions in challenging harmful societal messages (Flam-Ross & Zampini, 2024). For instance, after watching a TV show about addiction, consider starting a reflective conversation with your family. “What do you think it might feel like to walk in their shoes?” These seemingly small moments teach teens and young adults that everyone’s story deserves understanding, not judgment.

Similarly, actively challenging stereotypes can help them broaden their perspectives. Point out examples of bias in everyday life, from racial or gender-based assumptions to unfair treatment of a peer, and discuss why they matter. This reinforces empathy as a core value and provides your teen or young adult with the tools to stand up for themselves and others in a respectful way.

Encouraging Diverse Experiences

One of the most effective ways to foster empathy is to give teens and young adults opportunities to step out of their comfort zone and connect with others whose lives might look very different from their own. Programs like volunteering in diverse communities or attending workshops focused on building cultural awareness provide valuable life lessons about compassion and perspective-taking.

Virtual reality (VR) offers another innovative way to promote empathy. Research shows how VR experiences can help teens better understand life through someone else’s lens, deepening their emotional connection to issues like poverty, migration, or mental health struggles (Tay et al., 2025). While technology isn’t a replacement for real-world experiences, it can be a powerful starting point for expanding their compassion.

Interventions That Bridge the Gap

It’s not always easy to encourage these skills, especially during times when your teen or young adult feels overwhelmed or resistant to learning something new. This is where structured interventions can complement the work you’re doing at home. Evidence-based programs focused on social connection, empathy training, and skill-building exercises have been shown to lower rates of substance use while encouraging positive relationships (Wu et al., 2024).

Invite your teen to participate in community leadership programs or artistic projects where they can explore issues like inequality or advocacy. Even activities like family book clubs or movie nights highlighting diverse stories can create safe spaces for reflection and dialogue.

The Takeaway

Chances are, you’ve already done more to build empathy in your teen or young adult than you realize. From the moments you modeled kindness to strangers to those deep family discussions about fairness and respect, these little acts ripple outward into everything they do. But what really makes a difference is your consistency. When you show them that connection and understanding matter, no matter what, you’re setting the groundwork for them to thrive in a challenging, diverse world.

These final pieces of the puzzle—the influences of their peers, school culture, and society as a whole—act as an extension of your support. By staying engaged and providing meaningful opportunities for growth, you help your teen or young adult write a story of empathy, resilience, and belonging that will guide them for years to come.

7. Conclusions and Take Home

Parenting teens and young adults often feels like navigating an intricate maze. Each interaction, every choice, adds to the path they’ll walk into adulthood. Throughout this document, we’ve explored how biases and empathy intertwine; how biology, social environments, and parenting styles influence a young person’s growth; and the tools you have to shape their resilience and compassion. Now, as we reflect on the key lessons, it’s clear that empathy stands out as the heart of positive development, and parents remain the guiding light in this process.

The Power of Parental Influence

From the very beginning, you’ve shaped your teen’s worldview. The ways you’ve encouraged open discussion, modeled kindness, or even admitted your own challenges set the tone for how your teen processes the world. Research consistently shows that parents who combine warmth with structure create an environment where empathy thrives. Authoritative parenting, for instance, helps nurture moral reasoning and emotional awareness, enabling teens to develop healthy biases and strong interpersonal skills (Ricon & Katz, 2024).

It’s important to remember that no parent is perfect. There will be moments of frustration or missteps. What matters is representing empathy in your own reactions. If you approached a disagreement with patience today or encouraged thoughtfulness in a moment of struggle, you’ve already laid another brick in their foundation of growth.

Why Empathy is the Anchor

Empathy isn’t simply an innate trait; it’s a skill fostered through intentional experiences. Whether through understanding their peers, engaging with diverse groups, or navigating challenges, empathy acts as a safeguard against biases and harmful behaviors. Its benefits extend beyond emotional bonds; empathy encourages young people to make ethical decisions, resist risky influences, and develop richer connections with the world around them (Hinduja & Patchin, 2022).

Consider how intentional conversations can create these moments. You might ask, “Why do you think your friend reacted that way?” or “How would you feel if you were in their situation?” These simple but essential questions guide your teen to step outside their immediate perspective, training their empathy muscles and allowing them to grow.

Bridging the Role of Biology, Society, and Parenting

Biological development plays a significant role in shaping empathy and biases, as we’ve seen through the maturing prefrontal cortex and the intense activity in emotional centers like the limbic system (Lian et al., 2025). Yet biology isn’t destiny. Intentional parenting and positive environments can redirect harmful biases and fortify empathy during these critical years.

Couple this with the influence of peer groups, societal stigma, and school culture, and it becomes evident why a holistic approach is essential. From fostering family-based discussions about fairness to challenging stereotypes and encouraging community involvement, parents have many avenues to influence how teens filter and interpret the world.

Practical Steps for Parents

1. Model Empathy in Daily Life: Your actions leave a lasting impression. When you show understanding during conflicts or kindness in everyday situations, you’re demonstrating the values you wish to instill in your teen.

2. Create Opportunities for Perspective-Sharing: Encourage your teen to listen to diverse stories or engage in discussions about community issues, whether through books, movies, or volunteering. These moments build their ability to connect with others unlike themselves.

3. Strengthen Resilience: Equip them with tools to handle challenges, like open communication about interpersonal struggles or peer pressure. Skills like assertiveness, self-regulation, and reflective thinking are key here.

4. Stay Curious About Their World: Ask about their social circles, what they see online, and how these align or contrast with your values. When teens feel heard, they’re more likely to share their struggles and seek guidance.

A Final Word to Parents

Parenting teens and young adults comes with unmatched rewards and challenges. It’s easy to second-guess our influence when society, peers, and even technology seem to play such dominant roles. But make no mistake, your role is irreplaceable. Every moment you invest in fostering understanding, teaching compassion, or simply showing love creates ripples that will guide your teen long after these formative years.

Empathy, as we’ve uncovered, is a game-changer—not just for navigating relationships but for making sense of a complex world. And you, as parents, have the extraordinary privilege of planting those seeds. Whether it’s reminding them of their worth when they falter or challenging them to reflect beyond their own emotions, you’re equipping them with skills to thrive.

This isn’t just about shaping them into empathetic individuals. It’s also about building a world where understanding, kindness, and mutual respect carry us all forward. Every late-night conversation, every shared laugh, and every teachable moment brings us closer to that goal.

Together, with your guidance, teens and young adults can emerge as resilient, emotionally rich individuals ready to shape a kinder, more compassionate future. Keep showing up, keep believing in them, and know that your efforts, though not always visible right away, are invaluable. You are helping them write a story of growth, connection, and boundless potential.

References

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2. Flam-Ross, J. M., & Zampini, G. F. (2024, October 3). That kind of role models it!’ Dynamics of intergenerational reinforcement and disruption of stigma towards people who use drugs. Contemporary Drug Problems (SAGE Publishing).

3. Goering, M., Moore, A. L., Barker-Kamps, M., Patki, A., Tiwari, H. K., & Mrug, S. (2024, November 10). Adolescent empathy and epigenetic aging in adulthood: Substance use as a mediator. Developmental Psychology (American Psychological Association).

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About the Author: Wesley Sassaman, DNP, is a medical professional with years of experience in addiction and mental health. Working on the front lines of the fentanyl epidemic, Dr. Sassaman is dedicated to empowering families affected by fentanyl addiction by providing them with the knowledge and resources to navigate the difficult road to recovery. With a deep understanding of the biopsychosocial model of addiction, Dr. Sassaman combines expert insights with compassionate guidance, offering hope to those struggling with the devastating effects of street-based fentanyl addiction.

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