By: Jerome Fitts

Hello Everyone,

I know the minimum number of words required. However, the ink continued to flow on my paper pad. This happened before I typed the following into Word for this week’s post. I still think I left more on the table of thought for a further conversation.

The nature-versus-nurture debate.

The nature of our body includes genetic stems. These features include a resemblance to the mother or father and the family tree. However, their personality is based on their environment and upbringing or nurturing. (BibliU, n.d. p. 239)

The debate exists among colleagues, relatives, or friends who compare our personalities based on our family tree. It is not only a debate or conversation. Instead, it is an omitted overview of the person of interest. This depends on their upbringing or current environment. In Lamens’ terms: “How were they raised?”

Their personalities would be different if they did not grow up with one another. These differences would be based on their influences, family surroundings, and parenting. There is little chance they would have much in common.

There is also the aspect of parenting challenges with the offspring. One child could have had an environmental advantage. This advantage shapes their personality. In contrast, a sibling or relative might be raised in disadvantaged surroundings.

For example: Two brothers have the same mothers but different fathers. They are brought up on two different continents (America and Europe). Let’s say, the younger brother A is raised by his mother (my brother actually). The older brother B (me, adopted due to war circumstances) may have some similar physical characteristics.

However, their mannerisms, posture, dialect, and cultural adaptation are opposite. And they are from the same neutral stem, their mother. The nature part is the similar DNA characteristics but based on their environments they have opposite personalities.

The debate: Why are they different if by nature they are brothers? The answer is simple, they were nurtured and cultured differently and have little in common. The unfortunate delusional aspect may involve emotional blackmail. Their circle of influences suggests they love each other because “they are brothers”. It is debatable.

Why? Because the judgments of the individuals based on comparisons is considered unfair. Morally everyone should be treated the same.

How epigenetics fits into this debate.

Epigenetics fits into the physical description or the shallow compass from individuals such as: “Where are you from?” “Who are their parents”, and unfortunately, “What is their bloodline”. The environmental influences that affect the expressions of the genes. (What Is Epigenetics? The Answer to the Nature Vs. Nurture Debate, 2020)

Where you are from does not necessarily have an impact on where you are going.

It is also debatable whether or not a particular individual can adjust to a different environment. To evolve, adapt and learn something new. As previously mentioned, there are biological characteristics of individuals, based on their heritable traits. (BibliU, n.d.-b.p. 244) The latter pertains to the biological aspect of the individuals inherited from their family traits.   

An example could be: “His/Her father was tall and fast.” This description could be written for sports personalities who are described as sports royalty. They are destined to be athletes if positioned or nurtured in a sports environment.” (What Is Epigenetics? The Answer to the Nature Vs. Nurture Debate, 2020)

Thanks for reading.

References:

BibliU. (n.d.). BibliU – Reader. My App. https://bibliu.com/app/#/view/books/9781260471984/epub/OPS/s9ml/chapter02/chapter02.html#page_239

What is Epigenetics? The Answer to the Nature vs. Nurture Debate. (2020, October 30). Centre on the Developing Child at Harvard University. https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/what-is-epigenetics-and-how-does-it-relate-to-child-development/

BibliU. (n.d.-b). BibliU – Reader. My App. https://bibliu.com/app/#/view/books/9781260471984/epub/OPS/s9ml/chapter02/chapter02.html#page_244