Nature vs. Nurture

In class we talked about the young girl who was kept locked up with no social interactions for 12 years. First hearing about this, I didn't think there would be any scientific studies coming from it, i thought it was just a very sad story of a girls life. Then we discussed how she had no language skills, could barely walk, and still wore diapers at age 12 yet she still was fascinated by humans. She would look at people for a long time and try to connect with them even though she had no communication skills. This shows that social interaction is nurture. We, as people, need socialization in order to survive. However, the way we interact with people is determined by nature, as are most of our lives. It is just so happens that the people around us, like family, also picked up similar traits so it seems as if it is nurture rather than nature.

Tuesdays With Morrie- Dependency

In what ways are Americans afraid of being dependent on others? Do you think that this is related to our value of independence and freedom? In what ways do you depend on other people? Does this bother you?

Americans have a fear of depending on other people. People think that they need to be able to do everything on our own. Some are afraid of commitment in relationships because that means relying on others. Some don't want their children to be too close with their grandparents because they are worried the grandchildren will be put down when their grandparents pass away if they are too close. We fear death, there fore we fear depending on one who may die. We value freedom and independence because we have that right. Some people don't have the freedom we have, and we take it for granted by only wanting to be independent and not using dependency. Although we are independent people, we all do depend on people for things. I depend on my parents for shelter and providing me with money and a good life. I depend on my school to educate me and my friends to provide me with entertainment. It doesn't bother me because I think to some extent, dependency is a good thing. family and friends are there to be relied on and as long as we don't depend on people too much, it is good for us.