*Suggested Topic by Karlee* 

Do surroundings shape a person’s personality or is it set from birth?  Ya know that’s a really interesting question.  I think the personality of a person is based purely on the surroundings of when he/she grew up.  There was actually a book, alternate history of course, where Hitler was raised in a different family, with different parents, etc… and he grew up to be a great man.  Granted we can’t base facts off of fiction books, lets take a look at some facts.  Just look at your parents.  How much are you like them?  Most people grow up to be, in at least one way, just like their parents.  They inherit those traits.  There is a lot of controversy on whether or not humans have instincts.  Well I know for a fact that humans are born with basic instincts.  No one is taught how to smile, or to pull away from pain when it hurts, or to eat when you’re hungry, drink when they’re thirsty.  It’s natural.  It’s built into our bodies.

Now, I think genetic make-up has a lot to do with skills in the world.  I believe that any human being, that isn’t mentally handicapped, is able to learn and do anything if enough effort is put forth.  Granted, some people are going to grasp it better than others, but I believe our brains are generally able to learn and comprehend things the same.  Now some people are pure genius, and don’t have to be taught, and are gifted beyond belief, and others have to work at it.  But back on topic, yes I believe our personalities are shaped by our surroundings.  Freud claimed that he believed a person’s personality is based solely on the age of 6 months to 2 and a half years, and who we spend our time with during that period is who we will be most like.  Now if you think about it, most people are going to spend their whole childhood with their parents, so it’s hard to tell whether it’s genetic or surroundings, simply because the child has both, if that makes sense.  He/she has the genetic make-up of their parents, and will also be spending their childhood with his/her parents.  But in closing, I believe it’s solely surroundings, environment, and how the child is treated that shapes their personality.