Nature vs. Nurture is an age old argument psychologists and researchers have debated for many years. Both sides being defended in a passionate manner has created the continuous battle we still see today. As I began researching the topic, I found adoption interesting in the context of this debate. In the article Adopted Children: Genetics, Heredity, and Environment, both sides of the debate are discussed however I found a prevailing dominance of the nurturing aspect throughout my reading. Being adopted presents many strong points in favor of the nurture side to the argument such as the presence of your surroundings, and the importance of role models and influences in your life that help shape your personality. I know that in my own life many of my personal traits are directly related to how my parents and siblings acted as I grew up. One of my most interesting take a ways from the article however strengthens my opinion that nurture outweighs nature by exploring the alternative explanations. It discussed the difficultly of obtaining a medical history or family tree for adopted children, and without knowing previous conditions that may have been relevant within your family, some conditions may never fully develop in your new environment. For instance in my family I have a history of high blood pressure, and because my mom was aware of this, she was quite careful about the food she fed us, therefor shaping a small aspect of my life. For adopted children however certain genetic aspects never influence their lives because they are not aware of them. Being unaware of the genetic side strengths the argument that heredity is not solely driving the development of each individual. The environment in which they learn to adapt and grow shapes the human they become, and begins a new history. Outside sources for genetic information could change the lifestyle of an individual; however it would be changing the way in which they were originally nurtured throughout life. After reading the article I thought of my cousin Al who was adopted from Peru. She directly follows the arguments presented in this article. The nurturing aspect had played such a key role in how she has developed as a person. I often forget she was not born into our family, because she has such similar mannerisms and personality traits as many of my actual family members. It made me further understand that although genetics may have played a role in how she has grown physically; her entire lifestyle and personality has been shaped by her family and surroundings in her home today. I re-evaluated my life after reading this article, and I think it is important for other to do so as well in order to strengthen their opinions on whether nature or nurture is the main contributor in this debate. Some questions to keep in mind might be; what do you think your life would be like growing up in a different town, or country, or maybe even a different family? How would you have been shaped differently?
Source:
www.tree.com/health/genetic-health-nature-vs-nurture.aspjx
I agree with your standpoint that nurture may have a bigger impact on the individuals than nature...but you can't dismiss that nature also plays an important role in the development of children.
For example, I have a neighbor named Kelly who was adopted into a (outwardly seemingly) loving family. The father was a pastor, so they were all strong Christians (Kelly included). Regardless, one day Kelly decided she wanted to drink, and quickly became a raging alcoholic. She found she was adopted when she actually ran into her biological mother in a rehab center down in Arizona. Apparently almost all her biological relatives also had drinking problems.
Another family I know, also strongly religious, adopted twin babies from Africa...one child is now a kind and loving teen, the other child is a teen who has tried to KILL the family several times, her last attempt was on Christmas, where she tried to put a strong poison on the toothbrushes. From what the experts have said, she has the mind of a serial killer...she feels no remorse for taking a life.
I know more stories, but I think I've reached my point...it's hard to say what causes changes, but I feel that generalizing this topic is nearly impossible. There are cases where either is clearly favored, but as a whole they are both in action in some way.
The topic of nature vs. nurture is quite an interesting and controversial topic, so I am glad that you brought up it. With regards to this debate, often time, people (myself included) are so fixated on the fact that the environment influences our actions and behavior, that they totally rule out the influences of genetics. I often have trouble understanding how genetics could have an influence on our actions, because I have always believed that our environment has the superior power over our actions. However, reading about adoption studies like the one you have discussed makes me rethink this idea. You would expect someone who is adopted to "mimic" the environment around them, because that's how they were raised, despite the fact that they were biologically born into a different family. However, just like the blogger above me described in their stories about their neighbor and a family friend that they know, sometimes our preconceptions can be tested. The fact that, for example, the adopted girl born into a conservative, loving family turned into an alcoholic turns our attention towards the potentially strong influence that genetics can have. To me, the ongoing debate between nature vs. nurture is quite confusing and complicated. It feels like with all new reports discussed over this issue, like the one discussed in this blog, my opinion over the issues keeps swaying...