The Parents' Link to a Child's Development

1526 Words4 Pages

Does a child’s parent have a direct link to their development? During the early years, parents play a vital role on their child’s development. Their development depends on that parent’s attitude, aspirations, parenting style, and behavior. Children learn a great deal from their parents. Family life, family structure, and discipline also have a strong impact on a child’s development. Family is supposed to provide a variety of love and support; the way they do that can influence a child’s development. Peers serve many important roles in the life of a developing child. When you are around someone for so long you start portraying that same image. Children imitate what they see and hear, especially from those of the same age. They may feel the need to meet the standards of peers. Peers provide support when it comes to getting along, as well as learning morals, values, and personal independence. Heredity and environment is the most important role in the development of a child. Genetic inheritance is obvious when children are born. In fact, these factors make up a child before he/she comes into the world, before he/she interacts with their parents and peers.

According to Judith Rich Harris, genes and peers influences who a child becomes, not the quantity or quality of parenting. The nature versus nurture controversy states otherwise. It states that nature (genetics and heredity) combines with nurture (environment) to produce developmental traits and behaviors. Some kind of environment is necessary for child development. That environment must be strong to have an impact on development. So in some way, Judith Rich Harris is correct. The genetics and peers of a child make them who they are. Peers fall into the category of the child’s en...

... middle of paper ...

...tudy would get approved because it does not meet any ethical standards. The potential benefit of this study doesn’t outweigh any potential risks. Participants and their families are to be provided with informed consent documents. I don’t know any parent who would allow someone to put their child through this type of experimentation. There is no way to reverse any negative consequences. I am glad that ethical guidelines exist. I wonder if Judith Rich Harris would’ve aloud her daughter to be participants in developing research to answer the nature vs. nurture question, even with it being unethical and all.

Judith’s claim expanded my mind and helped me understand another point of view to the nature vs. nurture controversy. In conclusion, my belief that parents, peers, and heredity shapes an individual is still the same. What or who made you the person you are today?

Open Document