ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a theoretical analysis of empathy with an eye toward delineating its role in parental development. How early childhood experiences can affect individuals’ empathic capacity is discussed from the perspective of self psychology (Kohut, 1971, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1984). Empathy may be conceptualized as a valuable parenting tool and one whose development and expression depends on the psychological health and well-being of parents. Its application in parenting relationships specifically enables parents to understand their children’s experience not from their own, but rather from the child(ren)’s perspective. Empathic understanding enables parents to respond more accurately to children’s individual needs, wishes, and (perhaps seeming) demandingness.
