Empathy Isn’t Innate: Science Debunks the ‘Naturally Female’ Myth
Scientific research is challenging the idea that women are naturally more empathetic than men. While women often score slightly higher on empathy tests, the gap is small with substantial overlap, and both biology (like prenatal testosterone exposure) and social factors influence empathy. Some researchers question the hormonal explanation, and genetic studies show only a small genetic contribution with environment playing a large role. Brain responses to empathic cues are largely similar across genders when not biased by context, and empathy can be learned. Societal expectations and power dynamics shape how empathy is expressed, and there’s a broader shift toward more empathetic masculinity as caregiving becomes more common among men.
