On the topic of the age old argument of Nature versus Nurture, I feel as though our
socialization is modified and influenced more by our environment than our genetic
makeup. Take for instance children who enjoy certain types of food, listen to certain types
of music, partake in certain sports, exercise, or extracurricular activities, or are devoted to
a certain religion. These types of choices, likes, and beliefs are influenced by examples set
by one’s parents and other agents of influence. If a child was not baptized, did not attend
and confirm their believes at a Lutheran Church during their upbringing under the
direction of their parents what is the likelihood a child separated from his Lutheran parents
would choose devotion to that particular branch of Christianity? Especially in a country
which the majority of the society is Islamic, Jewish, or Hindu for instance. If a child is
raised on certain cultural cuisines chosen by his parents what is the likelihood the child
would have affinity towards that cuisine if not previously exposed to it? Most children
believe their mom’s spaghetti recipe or chocolate chip cookies are the best but if they had
been raised by another person chances are they would believe their recipes were superior. I
can take parallels to my own upbringing and know that I am who I am because of the
things I have been exposed to from music and art to the food I enjoy.
In the Ted Talk by Author Steve Pinker, he mentions that there are cases where identical
