I find it very frustrating here in NYC. I've had elderly people offer my children seats on the subway while young ones, male and female, keep focused entirely on their smart phones without looking up. I decline the seats, but it really would help my young children -- the train can decelerate pretty quickly and they are better off sitting down, plus on a crowded train, they can get pretty smashed between standing adults.

I gave up my seat on a very crowded train once to an elderly woman with a cane and she was so grateful I had to conclude it did not happen very often. Same experience giving up a seat to a man with crutches.