Nurturing versus Nature
There has been a nature-nurture controversy for years to figure out which is more important in the growth of children. The truth is it takes both nature and nurturing to raise a child so they can bring glory to the LORD. Scripture gives help as to what to teach children and how to teach them. It is our responsibility as Women of Christ equipping our children to have an understanding, perceiving and judging as they journey through life putting away childish things.
Deuteronomy 6:5-9
What makes us who we are and determines how we behave and the direction in life we take? Is it because of our nurturing and the experiences we encounter in life or found in our nature which is our DNA? There has been a nature-nurture controversy that has been debated since Psychology has been in existence. Nature versus nurture: controversy concerning how much of a person’s ability is related to sociocultural influences (nurture) and how much is due to genetic factors (nature). (Hardman, 2008). “Nature refers to the influence of the genes that each person inherits from his parents at the very moment of conception.” (Berger, 2005. P. 54). Nature consists of what is inherited by genes; hair color or texture, the pigmentation of skin, the color and shape of the eyes, even life expectancy, genetics, biology, natural abilities, and even physical growth.
Nature is important because it is the roadmap as to the philosophically make we have. Self-esteem, the way children think of themselves are governed by nature or their DNA. They can have self-confidence by loving parents nurturing. So both Nature and Nurturing is important in raising children.
Children need the physical needs such as clothing, food and shelter. They also need their emotional needs met as well. They need guidelines and boundaries to help them reach adulthood. Nurturing children to know the different between right and wrong, being able to express their feelings and also respecting their own feelings are important so they can express a positive anger and not choose violence. Children need to be taught through nurturing how to problem solve and coping skills.
Nurture refers to all the environmental influences that come into play after conception, beginning with the mothers (Berger, 2005. p. 53). Nurturing is the outcome and influence that other people has had on your life from infancy to adulthood. Nurturing is what we have learned, experience, it also involves our environment and social or cultural influences. It is the ups and downs we experience in our journey through life. Nurturing includes values, morals, ethics and beliefs that have been received by other people in your life. This nurturing usually comes from parents but can be other family members, ministers or even Sunday school teachers. Nurturing is what Women of Christ do for all around them. The Bible gives us a path we can follow.
Ephesians 6:4 encourages us as parents not to provoke or needle or push buttons to bring your children to wrath. We are to nurture them and in admonition, exhortation or encouragement for the Lord. It is our moral duty to cultivate the mind, morals and cultivate the very soul of our children.
One of my most favorite Bible verses on this subject is found in Proverbs 22:6 that instruct us to train up or dedicate a child in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it.
Nurturing children is about the way we as parents love them then the way we bring them up. There is nothing more important than nurturing children for the glory of the LORD. This is the whole purpose for nurturing your children. The reason it is important to nurture our children in the ways of the LORD is so they will have a good mixture of self-confidence and respect for others. Since each child is different it is important that each child is viewed as individuals and treated accordingly; taking each attribute of the individual child to be nurtured for the glory of the LORD.
Nurturing the children is not left to chance. Deuteronomy 6:5-9 tells us we are to teach our children diligently to love the LORD God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our might. These words are to be put in their hearts. We are to teach our children to talk of them when we are at home, or when we walk by the way like on our life journey, when we lie down and when we rise up. We shall bind these words upon our hand; they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. We shall write them upon the posts of our house, and on our gates.
“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:15).
Nature versus Nurture question asks which is more important, which one has the greater influence on the development of a person. This question has been bounced around by Psychology, teachers and religion. Sometimes it was believed that nature has the greatest influence other times it been believed that it is the nurturing that effects the development and has the greatest influence especially at the beginning of life. There is no clear cut answer except to say they are both important in the advancement enhancement of the growth of children. It is still the responsibility of parents especially Women of Christ, to regulate the nature of their children and then nurture all the attributes this child possesses all for the glory of the LORD.
1 Corinthians 13:11 gives us a better understanding of the debate of nature versus nurture when it said; “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. “ Isn’t that exactly what we are talking about? It is our responsibility as Women of Christ equipping our children to have an understanding, perceiving and judging as they journey through life putting away childish things.
Reference:
Berger, Kathleen Stassen. (2005). The developing person through the life span (6th ed.). New York: Worth Publishers. ISBN: 0-716-75706-0.
Hardman, M.L., Drew, C.J., & Egan, M.W. (2008). Human Exceptionality: School, Community, and Family. (9th ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN: 0-618-92042-0.
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MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “Nurturing versus Nature:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Jan 2015.< https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1997,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015, January) “Nurturing versus Nature:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1997,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015) “Nurturing versus Nature:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (January), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1997, (accessed).
