Like Father Like Son?
By Kandase
@Kandae11 (57233)
April 3, 2023 10:07am CST
Or like mother like daughter?
"The apple never falls from the tree" is an idiom which means : " A child usually has a similar character or similar qualities to his or her parents".
If that is really so it would be so much nicer if the child inherited only the good qualities and developed the others along the way.
Here is one example. About two years ago a businessman in his fifties was charged with the murder of his second wife. During the investigation, evidence emerged that he had probably murdered his first wife as well.
Some weeks ago news came that his thirty something son who lives in another country was arrested for the murder of his wife.
The apple doesn't fall from the tree? What do you think? Do most children turn out like their parents? Can a child be born bad?
14 people like this
11 responses
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
3 Apr 23
I think most babies have genetic traits from both parents. Some more on one side or the other. Thank goodness Dustin was more like me and my side of the family. 
I have always heard that both nature and nurture are always working together to influence all our traits.
I have always heard that both nature and nurture are always working together to influence all our traits.3 people like this
@Kandae11 (57233)
•
3 Apr 23
Yes indeed, l would like to believe that the home environment and other beneficial social activities could make a difference.
Similarly , if one's parents or grandparents had an illness, the medical experts claim the child or grandchild is at higher risk of getting it. However lifestyle changes could make a difference.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91044)
• United States
3 Apr 23
I have to agree with you Carol that both nature and nurture play a part in influencing how we turn out.
2 people like this
@Beestring (15373)
• Hong Kong
3 Apr 23
I tend to believe that being good or bad is the result of cultivation after one’s birth. Babies are born neutral with some instincts to survive. They are blank slates, prepared to be dyed by life events around them. It is their education, environment and experiences in life that shape them. In the situation you mentioned, the son's dad is probably a bad influence.
2 people like this
@Beestring (15373)
• Hong Kong
3 Apr 23
@Kandae11 Yes, I think some illnesses are genetically linked.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153544)
• India
4 Apr 23
This could be just a coincidence Children develop depending on what they are exposed to
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153544)
• India
4 Apr 23
@Kandae11 And it could be the other way around too
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (91299)
• United States
3 Apr 23
Oh dear well that happens yes. RIP the women.
Well, certain things are inherited..I can say with certainty from experience.
And as far as being born bad, I think it is possible somehow, but many would not agree with that.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (91299)
• United States
3 Apr 23
@Kandae11 Yes, and according to science, many mental illnesses can be passed on, and exacerbated by environmental factors. I also have experience with this.
And of course, many would disagree with these points.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (18198)
• Raurkela, India
4 Apr 23
Genes get carried a long way. So maybe the criminal attitude gets transferred from parent to child.
1 person likes this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
3 Apr 23
That is a tough one to answer . . . sometimes that seems so true . . . other times the children are so completely different from their parents. I don't know about being born bad, but certainly I've seen seen kids who just didn't have the right guidance growing up.
1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (57233)
•
3 Apr 23
The home environment plays a big part in how children turn out. Yes it is a difficult question , but the unborn child could be affected in a good or bad way by the parents lifestyle. For instance if the couple are always fighting, if the mother drinks or smokes etc.....
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (97957)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
3 Apr 23
It all depends sometimes parents are terrible but children are good and vice versa. But there are things genetically inherited and also talents gained and so on. I was lucky to inherit my dad's poetic talent and I was glad for that since he was a famous Latvian poet. I was always closer to my dad than my mom.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
7 Apr 23
I think we're influenced by genes and by how we're raised. But I do know some people are mean from a very young age.
1 person likes this
