Nature vs. Nurture

This subject isn’t new, it’s been debated for years. Modern scientific understanding emphasizes that nature and nurture interact throughout our lifespan. Nature vs. nurture? Are we responsible for our genetic traits and subsequent flaws? Let’s do the easy part first, our environment or the “Nurture” component. 

The way and the environment we were brought up play a significant role in shaping who we are. Our prenatal experiences, upbringing, education, social interaction, culture, life experiences, relationships, and surroundings have a critical influence upon our behavior, beliefs, and values. Environment can also influence one’s genetic expression; for instance, certain environmental factors, like nutrition or stress, can turn genes on or off, affecting their impact on our traits. 

While we may not have had control over our upbringing, we can still choose to reflect on and learn from our past experiences, and make conscious adjustments and decisions about how we want to live our lives moving forward.

Where it gets complicated is when we address our genetic blueprint, or the “Nature” part of the equation. The genes each one of us is born with are the basic units of heredity that carry instructions for building and maintaining our bodies and also playing a role in shaping as to who we are as individuals. This could include eye color, height, susceptibility to certain diseases, behavior, feelings, thoughts and overall attitudes. 

While these genetic traits are inherited from our parents and are beyond our control, it’s how we choose to respond to and manage these traits that might give us a leg up on life or just a miserable one. Genes influence how we respond to our environment: For example, a genetic predisposition to anxiety might lead someone to be more affected by stressful life events. 

Conventional wisdom will say over and over that while we cannot control the genetic traits we’re born with, we have to take responsibility for how we deal with them, something much easier said than done as one’s must first identify and understand the underlying issues as well as perceive the solution to overcome these and somehow be made aware of the option of changing. 

Ultimately, while we may not be responsible for our genetic traits and flaws, we’re held responsible for how we respond to them no matter the circumstances or the environment. Only by acknowledging and accepting our genetic predispositions and past experiences, can we take steps to overcome challenges and strive towards personal growth and self-improvement. 

A toll order, in my opinion!