Siding with Nurture in Nature Vs. Nurture

Our biology as well as our social and physical environment provides stimulation for growth and learning beginning at conception. The debate of whether human development is determined by nature, our innate qualities, or nurture, our experiences, has remained an important topic in social sciences for centuries. Today, few experts take an extreme approach to this topic and recognize that human development is influenced by both nature and nurture. Still, there are continuing debates among experts in specific areas of development, such as the origins of homosexuality and intelligence.

Nature is vital to our development because it provides our genetic code responsible for the makeup of our physical characteristics to predispositions to certain attributes and mental and physical illnesses. It is even responsible for the makeup of our basic personality. However, an individual’s development is highly affected by our experience and learning, making nurture our primary driving force in human development. John Locke, a well-regarded European philosopher, referred to the term tabula rasa, a theory that humans are born with a blank state upon which experience and perception imprints knowledge.

Nurturing factors including economic and sociocultural statuses, affection, and socialization play a significant role in shaping human development from as early as prenatal development. Nature is the primary control beginning the life of a fetus at conception. From this point forward, nurture begins to shape the development of the fetus and continuing at birth and throughout life.

Young children need safety, love, healthy communication and a stimulating environment to develop and keep important synapses in the brain. Lack of nutrition, medical care, chronic stress or exposure to violence or toxic chemicals can greatly alter development in even a healthy individual. Nurturing can support, enhance, fast forward or deter much of our genetic