Do you think we’re shaped more by our experiences or by who we are?
This is the age-old psychology topic in every class: nature or nurture. There is a movie from the ’80s called Trading Places that explores this idea humorously.
Our nature, who we are from birth, will certainly play a part in that, but you can also look at two examples: two people brought up either poor or wealthy; it does not matter for this example. Their nature and their surroundings will play a major role. However, how they are raised, nurtured, and loved can also play a significant role in who they become. Two poor kids can be treated entirely differently, and one goes on to better things and a better life while the other does not. We see and hear this all the time, often from athletes who rise from difficult circumstances. The difference is not that they were born different, but that one had a strong support system and nurturing family that helped guide them down a better path. The other did not.
The same applies to the rich kid. He can grow up spoiled and entitled, believing the world owes him something simply because of the circumstances of his birth. We see examples of this among some wealthy and public figures today. On the other hand, another wealthy person may be raised with stronger morals, direction, and discipline, and become a very different person. Look at people like Melinda French Gates, MacKenzie Scott, or even John D. Rockefeller, who used enormous wealth to support charitable causes. Their wealth gave them opportunities, but how they chose to use it reflects the values they developed along the way.
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