I do not speak of 3rd world countries...they are still in survivor mode and altruism is not and can not be nutured.

[I think it it nurture...not nature.]

So I shall keep it constrained to affluency...more specifically...us.

America is going through a deplorable sense of entitlement right now..which would squash any desire for selflessness. It has the same side effects as survivor mode.

Okay...don't yell at me..I have to include this in my opinion. Affluent Democrats may have altruistic desires, but the recipents of their generosity don't. They are convinced, whether they even are aware of it, of their psuedo-victimization, and therefore needs and wants are their first priority. It stops there.
Republicans believe in a stronger sense of *you can do it yourself*. I have noticed only from my own perspective that I am actually more willing to help those who help themselves...up to a point..then shoving them out of their nest becomes imperative for their own sense of self worth...and then they can pay it forward.

We are quite an adaptable society and even though communties and churches may be dwindling we will find a way to fill the void of trying to belong and nurture ourselves and others.....that *is* our nature. By and large there are ebbs and flows of altruistic propriety.

Altruism is a blessed and rare commodity...that will always hang in the balance of a few.
Enabling is whole different issue...which deserves its' own thread....and I am a world class enabler.
In order for me to nurture my altruism...I actually need solitude...and lots of it....so for me a sense of community or anything else is moot.