But I Did Everything Right!

Nature vs. Nurture was one of the primary concepts I learned while studying psychology, with the clear conclusion that both have equal weight. As in any field, there are certain camps which prefer to cling to one and dismiss the other, but those are not the majority...you should be careful of your sources. On a completely unrelated note, I was an "easy" baby. My mother doesn't understand me at all, and my sister, who was "difficult" has turned out completely different, and much more similar to my mother - although neither wants to admit it, which I think is hilarious.

Nature vs. Nurture was one of the primary concepts taught during my studies in psychology, with the conclusion drawn that both have equal weight in the formation of personality. I do recall a discussion where we talked about the different "camps" - just like any field, there are certain groups that like one theory over another. Sounds like you were talking to the wrong people. On a completely unrelated note, I was an "easy"baby, and that sure explains a lot...

I am a developmental psychologist and I also must express my confusion and irritation over your claim that "most researchers who study child development ... are uncomfortable with or even suspicious of genetics." Anyone who has taken the most rudimentary, introductory course in developmental psychology must remember the concept that is expressed in virtually every textbook I have ever seen: nature and nurture. Development is the result both of one's genetic endowment and one's experiences. In fact, this is probably the key theme in developmental psychology! I cannot imagine who the so-called "experts" were that the author talked to (a cited source would be nice so we could determine for ourselves if they were experts). This statement undercuts the validity of the whole article, and in fact, I am thinking of using this article this semester in my graduate course as an example of how the popular press promulgates scientific inaccuracy. I expect better from Newsweek.

As a parent and a sibling of four, I can tell you that you keep trying until you find something that works. Forget all this hokum about DNA until they can tell us by reading the DNA exactly what methods will and won't work. When will people realize that there never was and never will be a How to manual on parenting.