Adoptive Children, it's in Their Genes - Essay Example

Until now, many of us are wondering if we inherit not only boliogical traits but personality factors as well. Some people rationalize that personality traits are learned as a consequence of interaction with people close to us like our parents, sibling ,a nd even friends. However, the article chosen sheds some light on this issue.The article is titled “ It’s in Their Genes” written by Rebecca Klein. It was published in an online magazine known as “Adoptive Families”. The article begins with an interesting abstract that provokes the readers to read more about the article.

The abstract suggests that certain personality traits can either be learned or simply inherited. The article presents the case of Jenae Neiderhise whose biological traits resemble that of her adoptive parents. However, her difference with them is marked by her educational achievement as she finished her doctoral degree. She is currently a psychology professor. On the contrary, the adoptive family had family members who weren’t able to finish college. Jenae tried to research about her biological family and later learned that some of her relatives were also highly-educated.

As a consequence, she took interest in researching about genetics, particularly that of adoptive families.In fact, she is not just an ordinary researcher. Her findings were even funded by the National Institutes of Health, an institution that studies families and open adoption. The early findings of her research were presented in earlier issues of the journal. Nevertheless, the article presents the following interesting revelations that Neiderhise stumbled upon her research:1. Based in biologyNot everything is heritable since the environment accounts for half of traits acquired.2. Extroversion and risk-takingAs for these traits families plus environment can influence traits but not to the point of alter one’s personality make-up.3. HappinessThis trait can be inherited but again, environment and people around may influence the disposition of a child.4. IQ There is no doubt that nutrition as well as intelligent environment play a great role in enhancing IQ.

Thus, bedtime stories and good choice of toys pay up.5 ConservatismThe study presents that conservatism is genetically inherited and shows as early as age 12.Other important findings such as impact of inheritance on religiousness, environmental impact, aggression, academic achievement and ability to bond were included in the article. In conclusion, the article illustrated that genetics still play a role in most traits although it does not fully answer the question: nurture or nature? Rather, the article asserts that interaction of environment with good genetic factors is the real thing.

It argues that:  "The way you parent has an impact on your child, but part of the way you parent is determined by your child," says Neiderhiser. "Its not your fault if things go wrong, nor do you get all the credit if things go right."Works Cited:Klein, Rebecca. "Adoption - Adoptive Families." Adoption News and Information from Adoptive Families. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Mar. 2010. .