Bridging Social Divides: A Young Social Worker’s Perspective on Empathy and Action
By Vishwam Pant | Shri Ram Global School, Greater Noida As a XII-grade student, I often wonder about the world I am inheriting. Studying social issues like poverty , discrimination , mental health crises , and the erosion of civic values in my school syllabus opened my eyes to the harsh realities that many face every day. Inspired by a strong desire to contribute meaningfully, I assumed the role of a social worker in my mind—a role that asks not for grand solutions but for small, consistent actions driven by empathy. Understanding Key Social Issues I began by addressing economic inequality , highlighting how poverty affects real people’s daily lives and triggers a cascade of related problems such as crime, poor health, and limited educational opportunities. Next, I explored discrimination in its many forms—whether based on race, religion, gender, or other identities—emphasizing its corrosive impact on human dignity and societal cohesion. The mental health crisis stood out a...