Nature vs. nurture will forever be a debate that will fuel the minds of not just thought leaders but
also the minds of those outside the research community, whether consciously or subconsciously.
“The first and most central issue of the nature-versus-nurture debate is the question of whether
there exists a set of innate concepts that underpin and structure early conceptual development. A
concept, whether innate or acquired, is “the mental representation that encapsulates the
commonalities and structure that exist among items within categories” (Oakes and Rakison 2003,
p. 3) of objects or events.”1 I’ve had discussions with parents regarding the environment in
which they live having a tremendous effect on their children. Yet, I have also discussed with
parents on how their children’s character and thought process reminds them so much of
themselves. You are indeed your father’s child is what I would hear my mother say to me when
I would response in a particular manner. Research over the course of decades have shown that
the relationship between “nurture” and “nature” is not so much of a “verses” situation but more
of a joint contributor relationship. The efforts of both have an impact on who we’ve become as
individuals.
Despite this joint effort during the developmental stages of childhood, the question that we
should ask ourselves is, “which of the two seems to be the most influential?” While the innate
behavior that is brought on by nature is wired within, nurture seems to often gain an advantage
by the act of learned behavior from both inside and outside influences. This one particular
article provides a great example when researching word of mouth (WOM) and electronic word of
mouth (eWOM) influences on today’s teens. Meaning, despite parent being key influencers,
social influences are becoming just as important no matter how a kid is genetically wired.
“While parents are important, their influence on eWOM depends on teenagers’ concerns about
online image.”2 We as society has seen examples of this when it has come to body image
acceptance and non-acceptance. Naturally a child takes on the physical features of either mom,
dad or both. Yet, nurturing or should I say in this case non-nurturing influences tampers with the
self-esteem of our children by filling their minds with what is socially acceptable and
unacceptable with is comes to appearance.
As parents and as believers, we have to learn to equip ourselves with biblical teaching that can
assist in combating unhealthy influences from both ourselves and the outside world. Not only
are we as believer are to train up a child in they way that they should go, we are also responsible
for exercising those solid teachings so they may continuously build and maintain their
foundations. When the world tells them that they are not beautiful enough, we in turn should be
there to tell them, “You are altogether beautiful,2my darling2there is no flaw2in you” Sol. 4:7,
NIV. When we as parents see our negative behaviors manifesting in our children and
adolescents, we need to hold ourself responsible and remember that God is charging us with
developing of our offsprings in a way that is pleasing to him. “Children are a heritage from
the2Lord,2offspring are a reward2from him” Ps. 127:3, NIV. As stated above, nature verse
nurture is a joint effort and balance is needed as much a possible. What’s innate is just that,
however, what is learned can be tailored.
References:
1 Stiles, 2008
2 Mishra et al., 2018
