The nature versus nurture was what I
found most intriguing in this chapter. The idea behind nature versus nurture is
the degree to which genetics or heredity influence (nature) and the experiential
or environmental influence (nurture) determine the kind of person you will turn
out to be. I find it interesting because according to the book a combination of
the two can help to a child to become a well-rounded adult. If I could talk to
people who made the book I would ask them as to how this idea affects certain
types of people. When I say that I am referring to people who were raised in
loving and honest homes and grew up to be dishonest and unloving people. From
what I understand of this concept if they were raised to be honest and loving
people then why aren’t they as adults? What causes them to turn out this way? I
would also like to know the whys as to how it works with people who come from
bad homes but turn out to be good people? Is it in people’s genes to be good or
bad people? I would also like to have
endless money and time to research this subject.
I feel this chapter can be related to real
life because it can help me to better understand how the children around me are
growing up. I don’t have my own children yet but I do have nieces and nephews
that I love to watch grow and learn. I feel that this chapter has given me a
little better understand of how their brains are working and how much more love
they need right now (half of them are under 2 years of age) to know that they are loved, that I am someone
they can trust, and I will help teach them as much as I can.
Hi Katt,
ReplyDeleteLike you, I also got interested about the theory nature vs nurture but in a different article: The Identity Dance.
Phenotype (characteristics such as behavior and physical features) is the combination of genotype (nature) and environment (nurture); however nobody knows how much each one of those factors influence the phenotype.
We know empirically, that different populations around the globe have different behavior and physical traces, so nurture seems to play the role of differentiation. However, when you referred to people who were raised in a loving and caring environment and turned out to be the opposite, it made me remember a study I read some time ago about parenting vs peer influence in children and young adults. The researchers concluded that although parenting is crucial for kids’ education and molding behavior, peer’s influence is way stronger in toddlers and young adults. The reason is because, between those ages, they are trying to find their place in society, so the idea is to blend it instead of going against. Thus, although someone is raised with all good examples, if peers are bad there is the possibility that the person will end up copying the bad behavior.
Personally, I think it’s a matter of choice. My dad used to spank me and my siblings vehemently many times for silly things. He was an aggressive man in every way. I could be another traumatized child out there, but instead I choose to forgive him and set examples of love. He turned out to be a wonderful person. It was my choice to have a different behavior than the expected and it was also my dad’s choice to change. I think what we receive while we are little will be the path we will take if we don’t do anything about it. In all nature, humans are the only ones capable of changing the environment surrounding them, and in this perspective, I think all theories fail to explain such ability. It’s my belief also that if you’re taught good things they will be there for you once you decide to follow them, so loving and teaching good things to children is essential.
The debate of nature vs. nurture interests me as well. I agree with the book when it states that both play a role in human development but I have the same questions that you do. I wonder how people become cruel when they are raised in loving homes. Although nature and nurture affect us, do you think one plays a bigger role than the other?
ReplyDeleteLike you, I do not have children of my own but I do have two younger brothers. I also appreciate the knowledge gained from this book because it can help me better understand them. I think your response was thoughtful and look forward to reading your review on chapters two and three.
I also wonder why people turn out the way they do. My fiance was raised on the streets, moving from drug house to drug house, and yet he is one of the most honest people I know. Then I know people who were raised in steady, loving homes that steal, lie and cheat. It's always baffled me.
ReplyDelete