<i>Becoming humane</i> : The development of kindness in an age of division

In this article, I argue that kindness provides a foundation for realizing our humane potential for goodness and contributes to a flourishing, humane society. Using data from diverse contexts, I describe the development of different dimensions of kindness, as well as central cognitive, biological, and socialization foundations and antecedents. Next, I describe the impacts of kindness on children’s thriving, mental health, and ethical development. Finally, I describe the need for relational practices of care and present attempts to nurture kindness through community-based interventions. Humanity needs to grow kindness to overcome the current age of division and end conflict and violence.