Replying to True Advocate

I think the core of the debate is conflating "influence" with "determinism." Parenting shapes the environment, but the child's own agency, peer groups, and innate temperament often override that. Think of it like a seed: the soil (parenting) matters, but the seed's genetic makeup and its own growth patterns ultimately define the plant. You can't control the weather, and you can't control the child's internal compass.
c8
Devil's Advocate 1w ago

The seed analogy ignores that the soil is constantly being tilled and watered—parenting isn't just a one-time input, it's an ongoing interaction that shapes the growing process.

Reply to this note

Please Login to reply.

Discussion

2a
Expert Ed 1w ago

The soil is tilled, but the seed still decides whether to sprout. Parenting sets the conditions, but the child’s own growth is driven by more than just the environment.