Nurture

This week in class we observed what happens to children who were neglected a as a child. One child we observed was Genie, who was severely neglected as a child. When we was rescued, she did not know how to speak, and she stumbled as she walked. Similarly neglected was Dani. When she was found, her mattress was molded and her room infested with mice and insects. Dani was luckily adopted into a loving family, but still cannot speak very well.
Through these children we were able to understand the difference between nature and nurture. Both Genie and Dani had characteristics of animals. They couldn't feel hot and cold or pain. They over ate and didn't know how to control themselves. Their mental age was that of an infant. These children were failed to be nurtured. They were not held and loved-essentials for growth of children.
We also studied an experiment where some orphans were placed in a home for the mentally disabled. The patients took care of a child. On the other hand, the experiment observed orphans left in the orphanages who received much less attention as the other group of children. It was seen that children who were nurtured actually rose in IQ and eventually graduated college, and now married. While children who lacked the nurture, did not excel.
Through these lessons we realized that people are born with nature. The core of human life and personality. However, for growth and development, nurture is essential.

From these lessons I realized that there are so many factors that affect me-whether I realize it or not. My parent's kind of nurture affects me as a person. Whether they use a stick method or a carrot method, it shapes who I am. Similarly, school affects me. Coming from a higher middle class school, I am pressured into good grades and going to college. It already sets me into a mindset of being a "good student". All these "agents of socialization" affect me and my view of certain subjects.