Socialization

 250-300 words

Examine the nature (biology) versus nurture (environment) debate. Please discuss this question beyond the pedestrian or canned discussions you may have had in previous classes. I realize both are important, now substantiate your position.

Which position is more important in shaping human beings?

Can a child be born "bad"?

Are kids born with ADD/ADHD or can it be explained based on one’s environment?

Do you think we, as a society, medicate too frequently or readily?

We have the medical technology to isolate aggressive genes or identify other potentially problematic genetic traits in human beings. Should we identify these traits in our children or would the label be more problematic than the diagnosis?

Modern Sociologists view nurture as being more important than nature in shaping human behavior.

If this position is substantially correct, then what should we do with the millions of children who are abused, neglected and/or grow up in other detrimental environments every day?

Should one’s environment then be used to excuse or mitigates one’s behavior in a criminal court? Why or why not?

Should we cut funding for programs like Head Start and Teen Reach as we did in Illinois this past year or should we infuse social programs to enhance one's environment?