EMPATHY SKILLS: IMPACT ON FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS AND GENDER DIFFERENCES

This article analyzes the concept of empathy in a psychological and social context, examines its functional role in family relationships and gender-specific developmental differences. The study is based on well-known theoretical approaches such as Martin L. Hoffman's developmental theory of empathy, Mark H. Davis's multidimensional empathy model, and C. Daniel Batson's empathy-altruism hypothesis. It is emphasized that empathy plays an important role in the family environment in mutual understanding, emotional intimacy, effective conflict management, and the maintenance of psychological well-being. At the same time, the article extensively analyzed the differences observed in the level of empathy between women and men, noting that these differences are formed not only by biological factors, but also by social and cultural factors, especially gender-based upbringing models and stereotypes. In this context, reference was made to empirical studies on gender differences by researchers such as Judith Hall, Jack Block, Carol Tavris, William Ickes and Robert Barnes. The higher level of empathy in women was explained by their upbringing in an environment where empathetic behavior was socially encouraged, while the consequences of men's formation in a system where emotional self-expression was discouraged were examined. In this context, it is argued that empathy is not only an individual trait, but also a result of social learning and cultural norms. The article, in addition to assessing the role empathy plays in ensuring stability and understanding in the family institution, also presents a critical approach to the impact of society's gender-based expectations on empathic development.