Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

I Am Going to Say Something Controversial

I have already stated in other posts that in the nature vs. nurture controversy, I think nature places a bigger part, but it does not mean nurture is at all irrelevant. If I thought so, I would not be working in education.

However, I believe nurture must be balanced. That means:
1- It must come from different sources: family, friends, village or neighbourhood, school, media, art, government. Preferably in a bigger amount from those closer to the individual, in my opinion.
2- It must bring different opinions and perspectives.

If any of those premises fail, nurture becomes brainwashing. And I am afraid that's the kind of nurture many of its apologists support. Certain nurture, from certain sources, in a certain direction.
cherokeepatti · 61-69, F
There's a third factor and it is the willingness to make a choice.
Your perspective is blinded.

At home I was raised to be a white supremacist. I was nurtured by family and those closest to me that Jews should die, that people of color should be enslaved, that women were stupid toys, and that autocracy was the only true social order.

That was my nurturing. It came from close to home. It came from multiple sources. Family, friends, community. It was supported by school and church. At least not challenged by it.

Was that nurture? Or was that brainwashing?

My way out was to move across the country to university and get every attitude and belief challenged and deconstructed, sometimes by fists. To fall in love with an Afro-Carribean woman practicing a syncretic religion. To be exposed to a huge spectrum of cultural, intellectual, religious and political beliefs.

Was that nurture? Or was that brainwashing?

In contemporary America there is certainly a belief that what is local, what is taught within the family is good, true, pure-- and that what is taught from outside the family is overly liberal, permissive, and degenerate. What is "nurture" and what is "brainwashing" has no simple geography.
Cierzo · M
@CopperCicada There was brainwashing in your childhood since you got the same message from everywhere.

I don't know about university. They are usually very efficient brainwashing institutions, I don't know if it was your case.
@Cierzo I think my tale was to illustrate that what is "nurture" and what is "brainwashing" is not clear. Real brainwashing aside (psychological torture) it is a matter of axiology-- values. My father would say I was just taught family values and that I was brainwashed against them at college. The university would say I was brainwashed at home.
Peaches · F
@CopperCicada Well I call it ignorance, my upbringing was similar to yours in some respects.
MsMontgomery · 51-55, F
Nature is strong... my daughter was adopted & nurtured (an only child) in our ways... the gene pool is DEEP... it’s like she was raised by her biological parents bc she acts just like them.
... In the Bible it says to train up a child in the way that they should go, so that’s what I’m going to continue to do.
FlowerAlchemist · 22-25, T
It's clear that nature plays an important role in us. It's our base, and that defines us. However, nurture is the ability to shape that base and what you build on it (your life). I don't think anyone is doomed because of their nature. I believe a good and balanced nurturing like you said can help people grow to be their best version of themselves.
FlowerAlchemist · 22-25, T
I agree. But you can still hope you'll be able to shoot someday, and walk towards that objective. Maybe you cannot get new bullets on your own, and you need someone who loves you to provide them.
Cierzo · M
@FlowerAlchemist I don't see how anyone else may provide us with character. What we have is what there is. However, they can teach us to get the best from it.
FlowerAlchemist · 22-25, T
Yes, what you say is true. I wanted to point out that sometimes you need a helping hand. You thought you could not do something, and you needed someone to make you see the truth, your truth.
I wanted to be perfect, and not have to rely on anyone. But I've realized true strength means to trust other people, because even if it may hurt you, you'll be able to expand both your and their horizons.
Peaches · F
Yes, "societal norms" is what we called it in college. Society teaches we should all love our parents. They don't teach us we can reach out for help if they are starving and beating us, so many die. I suppose it's getting better now a days...
SW-User
I agree with you there as the words nature and nurture themselves carry a volatile meaning.
Platoscave · F
wow! I like that!!

 
Post Comment