Nature vs. Nurture: Which is More Relevant in Child Development?

A web of nature, nurture, and childhood development

Christa Brian
4 min readAug 7, 2023

The eternal debate of “nature versus nurture” captivates many, questioning the influences on a child’s development. Does innate nature or societal forces wield a greater impact? This age-old query continues to ignite a lively and intriguing discussion.

Scientists, educators, and parents all take part in this discussion. They try to understand if kids are born with a set character or if society shapes them. It’s easy to think there’s a simple answer. However, science tells us it’s more complex. Both genetics as well as social factors work together to mold us into the individuals we become.

Photo by Mahdi Bafande on Unsplash

Biology and Inherent Nature

In the labyrinth of our being, scientists delve deep, exploring the world encoded in our genes — the blueprints that shape our distinct traits, from hair color to health risks. As we observe children, it becomes evident that genes wield a significant influence in defining who they are.

In the realm of identical twins, the shared DNA creates striking similarities in appearance, behavior, and thinking. Researcher Tinca Polderman’s study explored twins and their traits, examining the influence of genes on identical and

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Christa Brian

Traveler. Love to explore the mother earth and everything beyond. Welcome to my blog!