Academician of European University of Lefke (EUL) Faculty of Communication Sciences Department of Public Relations Assist. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Portakalcı conveyed detailed information on “The Role of Empathy in the Communication of Teens with Adults”.

Portakalcı: There are some stereotyped adult thinking structures that can cause conflicts

Portakalcı pointed out that today, advances in technology influence the values in society, and differences of understanding between young people and adults from time to time and added that “There are some stereotyped adult thinking structures that can cause conflicts”. Portakalcı further listed some of these stereotyped adult thinking structures as; belittling young people, always looking down on them and approaching them critically.

Portakalcı said that that negative prejudices against each other in negative communication between young people and adults attract attention. He also pointed out that at this point being able to empathize is very important and said that “It is important to remember that the age of individuals and to interpret life and events according to their own characteristics”. Portakalcı also said that when the fact that teens are not faced with the realities of the life is taken into consideration by the means of empathy, adults can build a healthier relationship with the teens and added that “Because adults learn many events through their lives, so they look at the events with more maturity. In this respect, it is normal for adults to have disagreements with young people who have never met the difficulties of life”.

Portakalcı: Adults can establish positive communication with young people by empathizing.

Pointing out that the adults and teens should try to understand each other by putting themselves to other place with empathy. He further described the most frequent form of behavior of adults rather than empathy as reprimanding young people or comparing them with others which causes conflicts. He said that             “However, if adults consider empathy and differences in terms of circumstances when young people compare to their youth, then more positive communication can be established”. Portakalcı said that it would contribute to the positive communication of young people trying to empathize with the minds of adults and trying to create empathy without offending the other party. He finally said that considering that the experiences of adults can be a guide for young people, it is very important to take into consideration the thoughts of adult individuals by establishing empathy and providing positive communication.