Finding our way through life is a challenging, yet exciting adventure we all take part in. This is one among very few things we all share as an entirety. So what is it that makes us so different from one another in regards to choices we make on a minute-by-minute basis, possibly more frequently? That, in fact, is for each of us to discover on our own. It is factual that finding our own way in the adult world, in many circumstances, leads to the progression of retaining what is right and what isn’t as opposed to being spoon fed the entirety of the third stage in life. But what about a child?
The nature versus nurture concept is a hotly debated theory pertaining to our upbringing. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nature_vs_nurture) Once we have a firm grasp on how we were raised and our ability to accept it, the process of finding our strengths and weaknesses hastens as we can capitalize greatly on how well we know ourselves. It is a personal observation of mine that people often look in the wrong places to help find their true identity, for example, a friend or family member when they should be searching deep within themselves to find their unique qualities rather than imitate desired behaviors.
Until a certain age, children do not have a choice on how they act but will someday interact within the world around them based on their learnings. Depending on their genetic makeup and many other factors, they look at the first example of an adult for their prime source of social interaction whether it be a parent, grandparent, etc. How these role models behave actually molds the child’s personality and how they communicate. As we grow up and are trained by the society we are granted inside and outside of the household, the person we are today is a colorful collage of our continuous life experiences to date. A self portrait. Whether the child chooses to follow by example absolutely depends on their view of those responsible for the upbringing. Furthermore, if a child grows up to admire their parents, whom possess quality in character and morals, the child is a step ahead in the game by the time they leave home. The factors faced once leaving home and their consequences will be discussed at a later time.
This part is the root to the hypothetical tree on behalf of the nurture side of the argument. In my perception, the nurture side is most important simply for the fact that it is far easier controlled than nature. We cannot alter a child’s genetics as we please, however, we absolutely can, in most cases, give them the opportunity to succeed with the genetics they are given. No matter our intellectual standpoint or grasp on life, we all have a talent and an intuition ready to be lit like a wildfire. It is our duty to be the ignition and be the leaders younger generations desperately need in such a time of turmoil, whatever the method may be as long as it is relevant.
-William Parks
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