Social research about values around the world have discovered differences in American values. As far as I understand the research it seems most countries have concern and empathy about other people in other classes, lower classes, etc, except Americans for some reason. In the research I read Americans are very concerned about their own economy and are less concerned about other people.
I have actually heard many people say, I don't really want to spend money on taxes, or homeless, or the poor. You don't hear that kind of response in most other countries. In most countries parents read fairy tales to promote empathy and teach children values of caring, manners, and sharing. It appears that some Americans teach their children values that other countries don't share. to compete, win, defend yourself, get ahead, etc.
Love has to be taught. Read the little Match girl. It is often read in Scandinavia to teach children about empathy.
Here is a summary of that story.
[b]It is a beautiful story about a little girl who has an abusive father who in the cold of winter has to go out in the snow and sell matches for the family. But it is so cold that the little girl is freezing to death and lights one match after another to feel some warmth. She lights the last match, and she starts to hallucinate, and she sees a Christmas ham and food and closes her eyes and pretends she is inside at a Christmas party. She lights another match, and then another to keep the happy feeling.
But sadly, on Christmas day when the children are out playing with their toys and people are taking a walk they see a dead little girl in the snow, with shoes with holes in them. She passed away lighting all the matches.[/b]
