Nature or Nurture?

The Sober View

How many of you have heard of the great “Nature or Nurture” debate? If you have big beautiful eyes like your mother or jet black hair like your father, science recognised that these physical attributes are hereditary. These are from your genes. However, if you have a voice that take you to the top in “American Idol” or an acting talent that make you a Hollywood star, where did these talents come from? While it is quite established that physical characteristics are hereditary, the genetic footprint gets a bit murky when it comes to a person's behaviour, intelligence and personality.

It is an age-old argument of how much of what we are is shaped by Nature i.e. our DNA and how much is determined by our life experiences or Nurture. Even though scientists agree that nature endows us with inborn abilities and traits; nurture takes these genetic tendencies and molds them as we learn and mature, it seems this debate rages on without respite. You may ask what this fuss is all about.

The implications may be consequential in how we view and understand a person’s behaviour. If there are “behavioural genes” encoded in us, arguments could be put forth that we are not in control of our actions or behaviour. It can be used to justify criminal acts or a pre-disposition to violence and even a person’s sexual orientation. So, the debate continues fiercely – “Were we born that way?”

The Lighter Side

HOW MUCH OF WHAT YOU ARE, ARE SHAPED BY THINGS ONLY A MOM CAN TEACH YOU……….

My Mother taught me about:

ANTICIPATION: "Just wait until your father gets home."

RECEIVING: "You are going to get it when we get home!"

SEX: "How do you think you got here?"

GENETICS: "You're just like your father."

MY ROOTS: "Do you think you were born in a barn?"

WISDOM OF AGE: "When you get to be my age, you will understand."

JUSTICE: "One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you. Then you'll see what it's like."

TIME TRAVEL: "If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

CONTORTIONISM: "Will you *look* at the dirt on the back of your neck!"

STAMINA: "You'll sit there until all that spinach is finished."

WEATHER: "It looks as if a tornado swept through your room."

HYPOCRISY: "If I've told you once, I've told you a million times: Don't Exaggerate!!!"

ENVY: "There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do!"

BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION: "Stop acting like your father!"

THE SCIENCE OF OSMOSIS: "Shut your mouth and eat your supper!"

My Mother taught me to:

MEET A CHALLENGE: "What were you thinking? Answer me when I talk to you... Don't talk back to me!"

THINK AHEAD: "If you don't pass your spelling test, you'll never get a good job."

My mother taught me:

LOGIC: "Because I said so, that's why."

"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

MEDICAL SCIENCE: "If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

ESP: "Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you're cold?"

THE CIRCLE OF LIFE: "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

HUMOUR: "When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

RELIGION: "You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

FORESIGHT: "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

IRONY: "Keep crying and I'll *give* you something to cry about."

My Mother taught me how to:

BECOME AN ADULT: "If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

SOLVE PHYSICS PROBLEMS: "If I yelled because I saw a meteor coming toward you, would you listen then?