Warning: this video will break your heart, but finish watching or you’ll miss critical events (hint, no multi-tasking; you need to watch!).
Why no one helps
Want to know the real reason why no one helped this boy? Because it’s easier to ignore him and pretend it’s not happening. This is what psychologists call the bystander effect or bystander apathy. It occurs when individuals fail to help a victim when other people are around. The really sad thing is that the more people that are about, the less likely it is that you’ll act. Once one person breaks this effect, it’s more likely others will too. Notice how many more people slow down, or pay attention, after the man steps in to help. But how do you get one person to break the effect? Homeless people die our streets every day. You step over them on the way to work, or outside the grocery store. Homelessness is an increasing problem for children, and it can have life-long effects on their mental and physical health. It’s traumatic, and it even takes a toll on brain development. Almost half of all the homeless youth in America left due to physical abuse. And 5,000 kids a year die on our streets.
How you can make a difference
You don’t have to stop and give every one your jacket, or the contents of your wallet. You don’t have to offer them a hot meal. You can make a difference in small ways, every day. StandUp For Kids aims to end the cycle of youth homelessness throughout the United States. Contact StandUp For Kids to volunteer your time, or donate money. Or check out this list of homelessness organizations to find other ways to help. You can make a difference to a homeless child, today. The question is, are you going to get up and make the difference, or you going to act like you’re in a herd and continue your apathy? The choice is yours. Featured photo credit: Ryan McGuire via dropbox.com
