“Nature vs Nurture”-decoding it in my way

The duality of everything in this universe makes it more intriguing and ofcourse more questionable. Nevertheless that calls for an extensive and expansive research of inquisitive minds. The day we receive the parenting crown, our natural curve for learning, observing and exploring gets a new dimension. The “

Parents curve” or may be “Parents are the new kids on the block” The child is the stimulator.

The reason for choosing up such a topic, few days ago I was going through an article “How heredity and environment affect the process of growth and development" Quite an interesting topic as I have a 10 year old and each day I unleash new traits, unveil unique versatility in her character as she grows, every day  is a new day till her growth gets the stagnation certificate but behavioural pattern or development is an ever evolving saga which would be shaped by environment.

Environment, experience and training plays a vital role apart from the genes inherited. My research was based on the findings that my 10 year old was not inclined towards music at all but her genes had musical hypersensitivity. We have enrolled her to music classes as she has the right pitch and her humming spoke of melody or may be an ardent ambition of musically inclined parents....whatever ;) The training starts, The “Nurture” story begins here. The battle between the “Nature and Nurture”

Now coming to the topic- I was transported to the very popular concept - the variance in thoughts between exponents of the two schools- The behavioural approach and the genetic research module “Nature vs. Nurture. Nature is hormone based behaviour. Nurture is the way the child is brought up, it is the sum total of environment and experience.

We as parents not always have an understanding of the terms scientifically but our perception, our scattered knowledge and natural understanding often put these theories in conventional frame through which it is easier to draw a conclusion.

The physical attributes of the child is such a trait which we naturally attach to our genes...me and my husband literally have done a microscopic survey on heights. Maternal grandparents to paternal great grandparents the list has been long ;) It’s not necessary to a have a finely wired knowledge of genetics to observe the common place events which naturally point out the impact of genes. Height, eye colour, the muscle contour, athletic genes, jubilant personalities, multiple personality, intelligentsia, slow learners and even psychopath’s all have genes as contributor.

Nurture or environment has its own glory-My daughter has an exercise schedule everyday as we believe that her height might escape the wrath of genes with a bit of muscle push and pulls, that is where the “nurture “ aspect assimilates.

Modern day behavioural psychologist opines that nurturing plays a vital role in the overall personality development of a child. Here the genetic or the hereditary concept is not always considered as vital to human development. I have a common friend who was blessed with twins, both grew up to be similar in many traits but there were a few significant traits which were gradually being visible in one of the child, she was more of an extrovert in character, the other one would shy away in a crowd, there was also a stunning inclination towards music in one of the child but the other one had an athletic aptitude. The musical trait is definitely an endowment from her mom who herself is a trained singer, but sports was the last thing to be in their basket not even in remotest family lineage showed any inclination...her husband being a doc, had his last high jump session in one of his annual school sports event,  the very complexity lies here.

Controversies, research and analysis propound this subject, Nature vs. Nurture. During early years philosopher Immanuel Kant explained that human cognition is an out spur of genetics and heredity but on the contrast philosopher Locke believed human mind is just like a sheet of blank paper, nurturing, training and the overall environment shapes, outlines the human mind.

The research continues and we as parents with our own trial and error methods measure the  impact of genes by analysing our forefather’s  in one hand and on the other hand simultaneously compile, create  and nurture the left over with the best of our abilities,  creating a perfect blend of “Nature and Nurture”

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