EMPATHY VS SYMPATHY
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.
Understanding the difference.
Empathy and sympathy are often
used interchangeably but they have
unique meanings. Both involved
recognising someone's feelings but
as shown in different ways.
Sympathy is when you are feeling
sorry for someone because they're
going through a tough time.
Empathy is when you try to
understand how someone else is
feeling by putting yourself in their
position.
Empathy walking in someone
else's shoes.
Empathy is more than just feeling
sorry for someone. It is when you
put yourself in their shoes and truly
understand how they might be
feeling. For example, if your friend
maverick lost his favourite pair of
sunglasses, he probably feels a bit
sad. Empathising with him means
that you can imagine how unhappy
he might be because you can
remember how you felt when you
lost something important. Empathy
allows you to connect with others
on a deeper level showing that you
care about their emotions.
Sympathy: Felling sorry and
showing support.
Showing sympathy is a strong
emotion that allows us to express
concern to others practically during
challenging times. When we show
sympathy towards others, we can
recognise someone's feelings. When
we can offer comfort, even if we
haven't gone through the same
experience ourselves. It's like
conveying a message that says, 'I'm
here for you, and your pain matters
to me.' For example, if your friend
lost their pet or did poorly on a test,
he is probably very sad and upset.
Even if you haven't encountered the
same circumstances, you can still
understand how he is feeling.
Sympathy is a way of showing
compassion and reassuring people
that they're not alone when things
become tough.
Creating connections
Being a supportive friend is all about
showing empathy and sympathy. It's
important to understand to relate to
others, as it creates a world where
everyone feels appreciated. If you
come across a friend who is feeling
embarrassed, lonely, or frustrated,
be there for them and show
support. Helping them through
tough times is what a true friend is
all about!