Born Bad? Behavior Problems Might Be Genetic

Apparently researchers from the University of Virginia have discovered that behavioral problems are imprinted in a child's DNA. Children labeled as disruptive, aggressive, argumentative or bullying are often born that way, the scientists claim.

Parents everywhere probably breathed a sigh of relief that naughty behavior wasn't simply learned at home; and each parent probably promptly pointed a finger at the other supplier of DNA......the child's other parent. After all, I think my daughter's argumentative, negative attitude is inherited from her dad, too...........right?

This research was carried out by studying identical twins sharing the exact same genes, and fraternal twins, which only share half the genetic makeup. Then the twins and their children were compared to see which genes were passed on and which were not.

Amazingly, the study found out that poor behavior might not just be learned from copying behavior seen at home. Behavioral traits like lying, arguing, bullying, and being aggressive are passed down just like eye color, hair color, and the shape of a nose.

Previous studies had indicated that certain genes combined with abusive or antisocial upbringing contributed to delinquency later in life. Even among adopted children, behavior patterns were largely the result of this gene plus upbringing.

The prevailing wisdom of the last several years has been that environment determines a child's social development and peer interaction. And that isn't strictly true, according to the results of this most recent study.

Some childhood development experts have had the theory that children are essentially good and any poor behavior is the result of a bad world making demands on a child. These libertarian folks believe that imposing any will on a child starts to warp his otherwise good nature.

AT the other end of the spectrum, Puritans believed that children are inherently sinful or bad and that a child's will must be broken to the point where he or she would submit to the will of God. And odd as it may seem, there are a lot of popular Christian parenting gurus who have the same theories: children are bad; parents are bigger and more "right"; God gave parents authority; children must be made to feel bad by punishment before they can begin to be right.

What does this new research mean for proponents of either side of these parenting philosophies? And what can this research say to those of us who just try to raise our children the best we can without resorting to breaking a child's will, or letting the child's preferences be paramount?

First off, I will have to say that I doubt the conclusions of the University of Virginia research team will surprise any parent with more than one child. It is obvious that each child comes equipped with his own personality; temperaments and areas of strength differ in siblings. My two girls are a great example of this: the oldest is more high-strung, sensitive and dramatic; the youngest is more laid back emotionally, and acts out more physically.

The result of the recent research study doesn't let us off the hook as parents. And it doesn't make our job as parents obsolete either. But we can use what this study tells us to do what we already instinctively know: that each child needs his or her personality traits channeled and guided throughout his life.

Because after all, who is to say what is a "bad" trait anyway? An argumentative hair-splitter might make a great lawyer or Supreme Court justice. That little girl who bounces up and down while talking, makes friend out of strangers, and collapses in a wailing heap at every frustration just might be accepting an Oscar one of these days, and thanking you for putting up with her. A dominant little boy could turn out to be a strong leader or a bully, depending on how his aggressive personality was channeled.

But the study showing that certain negative traits are genetic certainly can allow us to blame all of these things on the other side of the family!