Nature Assumption (was Asbergers)

[William T Goodall]

On 26 Jun 2008, at 00:09, hkhenson wrote:

>
> The prevailing assumption for many decades is that parents have huge
> influence over how their kids turn out.  (This assumption isn't the
> case either in our deeper history *or* in other cultures.)  The data
> just don't support this view in spite of the invaluable skills parent
> *can* teach kids.  If the kids are adopted out, chances are they will
> find some other way to pick up the skills biological parents provide
> if they are so inclined.

The dynastic tendency in families is a counterexample to this. It's  
very noticeable how the children of doctors tend to be doctors or  
veterinarians. Also politics, acting, sports, music and writing. There  
are some second-generation cosmonauts and astronauts now. The odds  
against that would be astronomical if parents didn't influence their  
children :-)

Family Business Maru

-- 
William T Goodall
Mail : wtg at wtgab.demon.co.uk
Web  : http://www.wtgab.demon.co.uk
Blog : http://radio.weblogs.com/0111221/

"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit  
atrocities." ~Voltaire.