NATURE VS. NURTURE IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT

The debate over the relative importance of nature (genetic or innate factors) versus nurture (environmental or experiential factors) in a child's development has been a long-standing topic in psychology and developmental science. However, it's important to note that contemporary research generally supports an interactionist perspective, which suggests that both nature and nurture play significant and intertwined roles in a child's development. It's not a matter of one being stronger than the other, but rather how they interact.

Here's a breakdown of their roles:

1. Nature (Genetics):
   

   • Genetics provides the foundation for many aspects of a child's development. Traits like eye color, height, and susceptibility to certain diseases are largely determined by genetic factors.

   • Genetic predispositions can influence temperament, intelligence, and personality traits to some extent.

   • However, genes don't dictate everything; they interact with environmental factors.

It's not a matter of one being "stronger" than the other. Both nature and nurture interact and contribute to a child's development, and the relative importance of each factor can vary depending on the specific aspect of development being considered. Researchers and experts generally emphasize the importance of recognizing and supporting the interplay between genetic and environmental factors in child development.

2. Nurture (Environment):

• The child's environment, including family, peers, culture, and socioeconomic conditions, significantly influences development.

• Parenting styles, early childhood experiences, and the quality of caregiving can impact cognitive, emotional, and social development.

• Educational opportunities, exposure to various experiences, and access to resources also shape a child's development.

3. Interaction:

Nature and nurture interact throughout a child's life. For example, genetic predispositions for intelligence may be maximized or hindered depending on educational opportunities.

• Some traits are more influenced by one factor than the other. For instance, height is heavily influenced by genetics, while language development is influenced by both genes and the child's linguistic environment.

In essence, it's not a matter of nature versus nurture, but rather how these factors interact and contribute to a child's development. Researchers and psychologists emphasize the importance of recognizing both influences to better understand and support children's growth and well-being.

SUMMARY: We can conclude that nature and nurture are key ingredients that goes into a person’s make up and disposition. It’s not a chicken or the egg scenario, it’s clear that nature is first as it’s the inherent genetic makeup of a being. Genetics is the foundation of intrinsic abilities, traits and predispositions. Some persons are inclined to particular behaviours and vocations, such as becoming proficient athletes or an academic/technical genius. Conversely there is nature, which comes after nature, but is equally powerful. This is where extrinsic factors such as the environment and upbringing can mold and shape a person, bending them to a particular skew or way of being. The late king of pop Michael Jackson presents a classic case study in the nature, nurture argument. Was Michael’s electrifying ability to sing and dance, innate or was it taught? The answer is a combination of the two. The genetic gifts were obviously there (evidenced by his siblings who are all above average performers), but this was coupled with an extremely regimented upbringing, where the family patriarch Joe Jackson fostered an environment of constant practicing and performing that deprived the Jackson children of even the semblance of a normal childhood. Michael Jackson is an archetypal example of both sides of the coin in this argument. Ultimately, nature can override nurture, and nurture can override nature. There are countless examples for both arguments. Citing from a personal example, there is a young lady I know; her name is Kendra (not her real name). She was born left-handed (nature) but today she is predominantly right handed (nurture). When she was a child, her grandmother would beat her repeatedly whenever she used her left hand for tasks and made her use her right hand instead. Thus today she is right-handed. Thus nurture overwrote nature in this example. What is evident is that both of these forces are incredibly powerful and if they operate in contravention of each other, the results can be catastrophic or stellar, depending. Neither of these forces is to be taken lightly, nor abused, but each should be handled with diffidence and care. The argument continues.