America’s Lack of Empathy: Why It Is Hurting Our Society and Job Market
The Heart of the Issue
It feels like America is running on empty when it comes to compassion. You do not have to look far. The way we treat strangers on the street, the way leaders talk past one another, even the way job seekers are ghosted after dozens of applications, it all points to one thing: America’s lack of empathy.
Empathy is not some soft, feel good concept. It is the glue that holds communities together, the secret sauce of great workplaces, and the foundation of trust in society. Without it, morale sinks, divisions grow, and people start to believe they do not matter. And in today’s America, that is exactly what too many people are feeling.
America’s Lack of Empathy in Everyday Life
Walk into any public space, scroll social media, or sit in traffic for five minutes, and you will see it. Short tempers, quick judgments, and very little grace.
Neighbors do not know each other’s names anymore
Communities feel fractured
People are more likely to argue online than help in person
A University of Michigan study found that empathy among young adults has dropped nearly 40 percent since the year 2000. That is not just a social statistic, it is a warning sign. A society without empathy loses its sense of community, and when people stop feeling seen, they stop believing they belong.
Where Empathy and the Job Market Collide
The job market is one of the clearest mirrors of America’s lack of empathy.
Job seekers send out hundreds of resumes, only to be ghosted
Automated systems filter applications without a second glance at the human behind the keywords
Workers show up every day, juggling stress and burnout, while being told they are replaceable
Sound familiar?
Gallup reports that over 50 percent of American workers are disengaged at work, and one of the biggest reasons is feeling undervalued. People do not leave jobs just for money, they leave because they feel invisible.
On the flip side, when companies practice empathy, the results are striking. A 2022 study from Catalyst found that employees who believe their employer is empathetic are twice as likely to stay long term. Empathy is not just kindness, it is good business.
Why Empathy Is Strength, Not Weakness
Too often, empathy gets dismissed as weakness. But let us be real, there is nothing weak about understanding another person’s perspective. It takes guts to listen, patience to care, and wisdom to act with compassion.
In workplaces, empathetic leaders inspire loyalty, reduce turnover, and foster innovation
In communities, empathy fuels volunteerism, civic engagement, and stronger neighborhoods
In relationships, it creates trust, forgiveness, and connection
When empathy disappears, what is left? Division, burnout, and disconnection.
Resume Mavericks and the Job Seeker’s Struggle
Here is where I see it firsthand. At Resume Mavericks, we work with job seekers who are talented, hardworking, and qualified yet overlooked. Why? Because hiring has become dehumanized. Resumes are tossed aside by algorithms, recruiters skim without context, and the human story gets lost.
But with the right framing, showing a person’s skills, accomplishments, and unique strengths, suddenly they are visible again. Employers start to notice. That is empathy in action: taking the time to see the whole person, not just the paper.
This is why America’s lack of empathy in the job market cuts so deep. It is not just about filling roles, it is about whether we are willing to see people for who they really are.
The Ripple Effect of Empathy
Imagine the ripple effects if empathy made a comeback in America.
In society: less judgment, more understanding, and communities that look out for one another
In workplaces: higher morale, stronger engagement, and lower turnover
In the economy: job seekers matched with the right roles and companies thriving with loyal employees
It is not pie in the sky thinking. It is what happens when people make a choice to care.
Practical Ways to Rebuild Empathy
So how do we start turning the tide?
Listen more, talk less. Too often we are waiting for our turn to speak instead of hearing the other side
Check in on people. A simple “How are you doing, really?” can change someone’s day
See workers as humans, not headcount. Employers who take time to understand their team’s struggles see higher performance
Offer grace. Not everyone has it all together and that is okay
Share stories. Human stories remind us that behind every headline, statistic, or resume is a real person
FAQs About Empathy and America
Q: Why is empathy declining in America?
A: Social isolation, digital communication, and political division all play a role. People are more connected online but less connected in real life.
Q: How does empathy affect the workplace?
A: Empathy reduces burnout, increases loyalty, and improves productivity. Workers are more engaged when they feel understood.
Q: Can empathy be learned?
A: Absolutely. Empathy is a skill, like listening or problem solving. It grows with practice and intentional effort.
Q: How does America’s lack of empathy impact the job market?
A: Job seekers feel invisible, hiring becomes transactional, and businesses lose out on great talent. Empathy restores balance by humanizing the process.
Q: What role can small businesses play?
A: Small businesses can lead by example, treating employees and customers with respect, patience, and personal care.
The Way Forward
America’s lack of empathy is not just a cultural problem, it is an economic and human one. When people stop seeing one another, everything suffers. Communities weaken, workplaces become toxic, and job seekers lose hope.
But empathy can change that. It is not soft, it is strong. It builds trust, creates opportunity, and drives progress.
I have seen the difference empathy makes, not just in job applications but in people’s lives. When you take the time to see someone, you give them more than a chance. You give them dignity.
And maybe that is what America needs most right now.
