Ramton
Surely it cant be as hopeless as you say.
Hope I spelled your name correctly - sorry if I havent
I have been doing a bit of thinking around this subject
The problem is that there isnt enough empathy around
If eg someone has suffered at the hands of their parents - if they have children they may be determined not to repeat their parents behaviour because they now have empathy.
If you break into my home - am I not less likely to break into the home of another person because  because I now know what the emotional consequenses are to the person whose home it is? 
 

Hi
Found this forum by accident and I have no idea what it is all about but my goodness there ARE so many selfish people in my community.
I have given up now.
What I have discovered is that the worst of them are female - they take and take and take.
Men seem to be much kinder in my experience.
I have much more in common with men than women even though I am female through and through.
My neighbours are the worst - strangers are more helpful than my dammed neighbours.
But I am forever hopeful that one day these people will become human beings, but alas I doubt if it will be in my lifetime.