It's elaboration time! And the lucky number from my list that will be elaborated on is number 10: "Two people from the same family who were raised exactly the same way can be completely different, not just in personalities, but in beliefs/practices/lifestyles/anything and everything."
Okay, so here's the thing. People are seriously prone to blaming the way a child was raised for his or her shortcomings. If a child is a little hellion, rude and lacking in basic manners, we usually say something akin to, "Well, he doesn't know better. His parents never taught him to put his napkin on his lap," or "Well, how's he supposed to know he isn't supposed to say please and thank you? Nobody ever taught him to do that," or maybe even "It's not his fault. His mom's never home, so he doesn't know he's not supposed to lick his plate like a dog."
Okay, so maybe most people know enough to not lick their plates (though I wouldn't bet on it), but my question is, How do they know? I already said we usually blame the parents for the bad, so, logically, we should praise the parents for the good, too; after all, it's our parents who make us who we are, right?
You're probably inclined to answer that question with a yes, but if you are, I need to overpower your yes with a resounding no. I mean, sure, it makes sense that we'd be molded by our parents, but it's just not the case. Don't believe me? Want proof? Fear not, readers. I've got proof aplenty.
As you all know, my sister and I just went on a three-day trip to Chicago together. I used this time to gather anthropological evidence supporting my parents-have-nothing-to-do-with-the-people-we-are hypothesis. My findings are as follows:
Heather can't sleep with the TV off, and I can't sleep with it on. She is in no way concerned with the energy she is wasting or its effect on the environment. I find the thought of contributing to global warming horrific.
Heather turns the water on about ten minutes before she gets in the shower. Again, the environment is not at all a concern. I turn the water on and get in the shower before the water is even hot.
In yet another kick to the crotch of the environment, Heather leaves the water running the entire time she brushes her teeth (which, incidentally, is about three minutes less than I brush my teeth). I turn the water off as soon as my toothbrush gets wet.
My sister does not know who Rick Scott is (she also doesn't vote in local elections (I have a sneaking suspicion she might not even vote in national ones)). Nary a day goes by that I don't lament his existence.
My sister believed the Obama birth certificate controversy. I don't believe anything, ever, unless I consult about five sources first.
My sister talks with her mouth stuffed full of food--it's actually practically the only time she talks. I hold my pinkie out when holding a glass and can't remember the last time I ate without a napkin on my lap.
My sister subscribes to the more-is-better-and-cheaper-is-best school of thought where food is concerned. I'd rather have something decadent and expensive.
My sister is, generally, friendly and amicable, and she doesn't get easily irritated and frustrated by every little thing that people do. Do I even need to state my side of this one?
Okay, so here's the thing. People are seriously prone to blaming the way a child was raised for his or her shortcomings. If a child is a little hellion, rude and lacking in basic manners, we usually say something akin to, "Well, he doesn't know better. His parents never taught him to put his napkin on his lap," or "Well, how's he supposed to know he isn't supposed to say please and thank you? Nobody ever taught him to do that," or maybe even "It's not his fault. His mom's never home, so he doesn't know he's not supposed to lick his plate like a dog."
Okay, so maybe most people know enough to not lick their plates (though I wouldn't bet on it), but my question is, How do they know? I already said we usually blame the parents for the bad, so, logically, we should praise the parents for the good, too; after all, it's our parents who make us who we are, right?
You're probably inclined to answer that question with a yes, but if you are, I need to overpower your yes with a resounding no. I mean, sure, it makes sense that we'd be molded by our parents, but it's just not the case. Don't believe me? Want proof? Fear not, readers. I've got proof aplenty.
As you all know, my sister and I just went on a three-day trip to Chicago together. I used this time to gather anthropological evidence supporting my parents-have-nothing-to-do-with-the-people-we-are hypothesis. My findings are as follows:
Heather can't sleep with the TV off, and I can't sleep with it on. She is in no way concerned with the energy she is wasting or its effect on the environment. I find the thought of contributing to global warming horrific.
Heather turns the water on about ten minutes before she gets in the shower. Again, the environment is not at all a concern. I turn the water on and get in the shower before the water is even hot.
In yet another kick to the crotch of the environment, Heather leaves the water running the entire time she brushes her teeth (which, incidentally, is about three minutes less than I brush my teeth). I turn the water off as soon as my toothbrush gets wet.
My sister does not know who Rick Scott is (she also doesn't vote in local elections (I have a sneaking suspicion she might not even vote in national ones)). Nary a day goes by that I don't lament his existence.
My sister believed the Obama birth certificate controversy. I don't believe anything, ever, unless I consult about five sources first.
My sister talks with her mouth stuffed full of food--it's actually practically the only time she talks. I hold my pinkie out when holding a glass and can't remember the last time I ate without a napkin on my lap.
My sister subscribes to the more-is-better-and-cheaper-is-best school of thought where food is concerned. I'd rather have something decadent and expensive.
My sister is, generally, friendly and amicable, and she doesn't get easily irritated and frustrated by every little thing that people do. Do I even need to state my side of this one?
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