Is who you are based more on genetics or the way you were raised?

BLW_KAM

The greatest scientific minds haven't been able to come to a consensus on your question, so I must base my answer on opinion.

Clearly many things are determined by genes: eye color, facial features, susceptibility to disease, and on. But research indicates the environment can influence how these genes are expressed. They aren't operating in a vacuum.

I see in myself the combination of genetics and environment. I'm tall like everyone else in the family, I'm thin just like them, but I don't have my mother's unshakable faith, my dad's scientific brain nor my sister's competitive streak.

So I'm just me: a 50/50 blend of what I was born with combined with the experiences of a lifetime.

BOTZ

Who I am? Nature.

Freckle Face

Nature with a pinch of nurture.

SJM

As a reunited adotpee, I believe nature trumps nurture. Both play a role, of course, but the deep, instinctual foundation upon which everything else is built is completely DNA.

sunny

Adoptees in reunion actually know the answer to this question.

It's genetics, not environment that plays a bigger role. We are all hard wired at birth.

Hardware vs. software. Software can be changed and updated--you can't change hardware--not even with a phony birth certificate.

Heather Leigh

I think Both are equally important. I can raise my son by my beliefs, but he got so much from his bio parents.

*his beautiful green eyes
*is natural athletic ability in almost any sport
*his great sense of humor
*his ability to solve almost any math problem.
*his stubborn streak
*his great laugh
I could go on an on about what he inherited from his Bio family. They are a part of who is I like to think I am playing a pat in who he is becoming.

ETA: I hope that didn't sound like I am trying to change who he is. I am just trying to guide him as he grows up.

Jackie B

There was a study once done where identical twins were separated and raised by very different kinds of parents and when they reunited, they had so many things in common, mannerisms, the same kind of quirks, the same taste in many things.

I also do believe that life's experiences shapes a person too.

I think nature and nurture both play a role in the development of personality.

Anha S

How I was raised has some effect, but once I found my first family it was evident that genetics played a huge role in who I turned out to be. My sister and I particularily are very much alike, in looks, attitude, personality, everything. And after meeting members of my dad's family, Ive found out a lot more about myself, and why things are the way they are.

Not Adopted

Genetics.

kitta

Genes mutate over time, and with each generation and 'mating' there is a new combination, so there are many different variations. Even brothers and sisters with the same parents differ. They share many genes, but not exactly the same.

Their environments are not identical, either, because the parents change and grow older.

Studies at the U of Minnesota Twin and Adoption Research Center have shown strong similarities between separated identical twins.Biological family members show similarities not found in control groups. The U of Colorado Adoption Project is also showing genetic similarities, not found in adopted family members.

So, my conclusion to your question would be that genetic influences are much greater, but there are many variations within genetic configurations.

Independ"ant"

Both are very important however Genetics (nature) trumps all else.

Ex. child prodigies.

Philippa

I'm not adopted but I can see in my son that it is a mixture of genetics and how he was raised so about 50-50.

monkeykitty83

Definitely a combination, and I would suspect the proportions of each vary from person to person. The level of variation would depend on things like personality/adaptability and exactly what experiences the person has.

I do believe people have certain personality traits that are set from birth. But I also think that going through life, we are shaped by our experiences and relationships-- otherwise we would be permanently stuck at an infant level in our emotional and mental growth and development.

(To give one example, to be blunt if our personalities and emotional states were totally hardwired from birth, any significant Primal Wound effect on personality or long-term emotional state would by definition not be possible. Separation from the mother is not a genetic factor, it's an experiential one, even if it happens early on. People who argue for both genetic determinism and a Primal Wound confuse me, because they logically should cancel each other out, rendering any pain from loss a minor rather than a major factor in personality formation if genes are believed to completely determine who we are.)

All this to say, both, and the proportion of each varies from person to person.

Cambria

I think it is a mix of both. I definitely have things that came from my parents and now that I know part of my bio family, I definitely have things that come from them. And a lot of stuff is the result of an interaction between genetics and how I was raised.

cantstopLinnyG

DNA wins every time. We are all born with a predetermined set of characteristics.

If we are placed with adoptive parents who are nothing like us, whether it is looks, intellectual capabilities, musical or athletic abilities, we struggle with our identity even more. Those traits are in our wiring, and if they are not nurtured or respected, it's extremely difficult.

When I finally met with members of my n family, I saw just exactly how powerful genetics are. I was separated by 2000 miles and 42 years, yet we were so much alike, it really freaked me out.

I tried to deny genetics, saying that I was a lot like my a family. I think that was a self protective thing for me. I do share things with my a family, but they are on superficial level. How could I NOT share things with them, they are my family and I have been with them my whole life.

But again, I am more like my first family. While meeting them gave me a sense of belonging that I had been missing my whole life, it also made my loss more profound to me. I now wonder what I could have been had I been raised by my f parents even more.

Rowan

i believe both are equally important. Genetics at times can outweigh things, but not always.

Possum

At LEAST a 50/50 spread between nature and nuture - although since finally meeting my bio family - genetics is an amazing thing.
My sister and I - look the same - read the same books growing up - took the same subjects in highschool electives - were good at the same sports - and now - we finish each others sentences.
And we lived apart for 36 yrs.
When you've lived apart from those that a bio related - then later you find them - only then can you see how it all really works.

littlemissknowitall

I think it is both. Children seem to be born with personalities and talents. And some of those traits run in families, as does ADHD, musical talent, diabetes, etc. How children are raised determines what they do with their personality traits, and how much they develop those talents. Research has shown that two kids with similar genetics can turn out very differently, depending on whether they were well fed, encouraged, and educated. Lack of stress is a big factor, too. What could be a stubborn trait in one person, could develop into perseverance and never quitting in another person.
We all know people whose parents are in jail, or otherwise not the best role models. Yet, these people turned out fine. They did not turn out to be like their parents.
On the other hand, we have all seen people whose childhoods were rough. Some became very successful in life, and some could not overcome the bad treatment they received and developed attitudes that caused them to make bad decisions and have an unhappy life.
I hope this helps answer your question. When you add to it, I'll try to help more.

Troy

Well I hope its more about nurture an less about nature. I live in foster care and I would not want to be anything like my birth parents. The people who raise me have college degrees, haven't had any problems with the law and keep their jobs. They are also the kind of people others like to be around, they have friends, their neighbors don't hate them, and even people who dislike them show them respect. My parents are the opposite of everything I wrote and some more. I try to control my temper and be more like my family. In a way I guess I am a lot like my parents but I consciously decided not to follow them so in the end it might be my will to be different than anything else. I am never going to drink because I read that if your parents are alcoholics the kids have more risks of being alcoholics themselves. The bad genes are there but I'm going to fight them.

Heather B

Nature

23 year old texas female married

Since I was raised by my parents I have to say genetics. I am compassionate, loving, caring, anti-social, shy, most of the time understanding. If it goes by how I was raised. I was called out of my name very often by my mother. I was told on a regular basis that I was an "accident" and when I turned 12 how I was a "mistake". How I was suppose to be a still born. (I didn't find out my mom actually tried to kill me while she was pregnant until I was 20. Apparently my father talked CPS out of taking my brothers..) My mom had no prenatal care while pregnant with me.And I was told daily how I was unlovable by my mother. She couldn't love me because I was a girl. This is how she listed her favorite kids: Damian, Roman, Kyle, Shady (whom has no relation to us), me-Allison, and her step daughter Kelly. And if you like you can add Tabby my cousin in front of me.
I am glad every time I told on her for slapping me in my face when I was little that my dad beat her. You don't hit your children because they ask a thousand questions. Yes I know I was a bit slow at speech thanks to lead poisoning that she complained about having to bring me to the doctor. At one point in time once a week, but normally once a month. It was my fault I had lead poisoning. Go figure. Sot it before I was 6 months old and the doctors told them I was going to be brain damaged.
I am a lot like my grandmother on my father's side. Nothing like my mom and her mother. They are evil people. My grandmother even slapped me in my face when I was 8. I found $20 she took it I told her I hated her she slapped me. Don't worry she died of cancer. Deserved it. My mom is slowly dying from Hepatitis C she keeps giving herself 6 months. She been dying for the past 12 years.
Sorry I really dislike her. She has hurt me more than anybody could. No wonder I haven't left my husband. He is just like her.

rachael

omg my genetics!!! i am NOTHING like my afamily. it has been a struggle all my life and just the last few years we have come to the point to 'agree to disagree' and its working out very well

ask anyone that knows lori and myself-we literally finish each others sentences and even say the exact same thing at the same time. its EERIE. i often comment that we share a brain.
i talk like her, ooze sarcasim like her, wave my hands around and make the oddest facial expressions like her. we also share many political and cultural and even religious views. (or lack there of)

my afamily and i dont agree on any of that.

nuture my have gotten my where i am....but nature makes me who i am. there is NO doubt about that.

Sam

I am some of both my morals come from who i was raised with but a lot of my personality comes from my genetics.

trixieggrrl

As an adoptee in reunion, my personal experience is that I am 90% nature with a dash of nurture. To follow up on a previous answer, the Primal Wound can NOT cancel out genetics. If anything, it just further masks our *authentic* selves. And therefore the traits that come glimmering through, despite lack of reflection in those around us? They probably would have been dazzling in the right context and "nurturing" environment.
In many, many ways, I am resentful not to have grown up with people who have turned out to have so much *in common* with me. However, some friends have recently asked--- "What if you did grow up with your first parents? Is it possible that you would have resented hearing how similar you are and possibly rebelled against the numerous traits that you all shared?
Woulda shoulda coulda.
Bottom line? My first parents and I share so many bizarre likes and dislikes, mannerisms, attitudes and perspectives that it's mindblowing.
Most importantly-- all the things about me that used to bug me? They have become rather endearing, after seeing them mirrored in my parents.....
There is nothing unique or special about me.
I am merely a slave to my DNA.....

Cami

I have some very basic scientific knowledge on the subject (mainly through the discovery channel ha ha) and from what I've seen genetics determine personality traits and habits in ways we would not imagine. However, these traits can be expressed in an endless number of ways that are affected by the environment. Siblings raised in the same household and even identical twins have similar genes/identical genes and therefore have a greater chance of having things in common but they are not carbon copies of each other.This is because their life experiences and goals determine how genetic information will be used in real life (if that makes any sense). I was raised by my mother and had very sporadic contact with my father who lives in another country. My mother and I have opposite tastes and moral values so I always thought I took after the parent who did no raise me and that the genes he had given me determined my identity. However, when I met him I realized that this was not the case. My mother and I have the same temperament, drive and head strong approach to life we just happened to be raised in different times with different trends and this affected the way our genetic potential manifested.

Phil

everyone's different. some people form opinions and ideals etc based on their own thoughts while others learn and pick them up from others. Two people living in the same environment with identical factors can still have different reactions to it to the other one. People react to life situations in different ways. They can collect stats, facts and figures, but when dealing with individual people you kind of need to ignore them and take it as an individual case and don't stereotype people. Some people barely remember their pasts and keep moving on with their past barely even touching their subconscious, while for others it's a deeply rooted part of who they are. And for these people, their reaction is still individual.

Sophie

Me... the way I was raised (I believe).

It came with the frame

The way you were raised. If it was Genetics then the generations would never change.

naughty girl

the way that your raised

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