Are family vices passed down through the generations?
By Awinds
@Awinds (2468)
United States
July 12, 2011 9:21pm CST
If the parents are alcoholics, the offspring are likely to be as well. If a woman had an unplanned baby in her teen-hood, her daughter is has a higher likelihood of repeating that mistake. If a couple divorces, their children are more likely to divorce then the children of parents who did not divorce. If one parent had a bad temper, the child can have one as well. On and on it goes.
This repeat of vices can not be blamed solely on genetics - for example, an addiction to alcohol is not genetic. It can not be passed on to the next generation via the genes.
So, do you think it is just coincidence that the bad habits of the past generation are likely to show up in the next generation, or is there more to it? If so, how do you think these vices get passed on? And, why do you think the children [who have witnessed the undesirable results by watching their parents] pursue the vice even though they know the end result will be bad?
8 responses
@carpediem17 (1315)
• Singapore
14 Jul 11
hi Awinds, this is an interesting question.
From general observation and reading the community news, it seems that problems or issues faced by the younger generation may be a result of their upbringing and influence of their parents. So to some extent, yes, 'vices' can be passed down e.g. gambling, smoking. Almost a vicious cycle.
However, there is also a smaller population which will break out of this vicious cycle due to influence by outsiders like friends and community help. So therein lies the difference.
@roneal (62)
• Mexico
14 Jul 11
I think it has allot to do with the family. The kids grow up seeing their parents doing something and they almost subconsiously do it as well when they get older. Its kind of like not being able to break a circle. The behavior just repeats itself over and over again.
@sweetgirl_k1 (3972)
• United States
14 Jul 11
It might can be passed on but I think people make choices for themselves. My grandparent's were married to each other until my grandpa passed away and they never divorced. All of their children (there are 4 of them) have divorced. So they didn't stay married like their parents did. So just because people do certain things I don't think that it means that their kids will do the same thing. In some instances they do but not in all cases.
@Awinds (2468)
• United States
14 Jul 11
Or could those children have divorced because they grew up in a society where divorce is all to common and hailed a top solution in a troubled marriage? People can make choices, but those choices can not escape the impact of influence. It just seems like in most cases the parent's influence is the strongest whether or not consciously acknowledged. However, your case is unique - that all four would divorce when their parents did not.
@ebuscat (5935)
• Philippines
13 Jul 11
For me yes they are as maximum result but not all doing it through just like they don't like to said it in there family when they are married just like my husband they don't like to follow what his father do in there family.
@Awinds (2468)
• United States
14 Jul 11
There are some cases were the children can become resentful, angry or disapproving of the bad habits their parents had. In one way this good, as it may motivate the child not to repeat the habit. In another way this is bad, as it causes rifts in the family that only expand with time.
@pinkpiglet (330)
• Philippines
13 Jul 11
The bad habits are passed on to the next generations because they are exposed to it. It's not the genes that make the offspring get the same vices, but it's because their children see what you, the parents, are doing. When the parents smoke, the children would think "it's okay to smoke because my parents are doing it, and I look up to them". Or sometimes, the parents themselves are the ones inviting their children to try it. For example, they invite their children to have a drinking session, etc. The vices are passed down through the generations because they expose those vices. It's as simple as that. Parents are being looked up to. So if you don't want your children doing something you don't like them to do, then stop doing it yourself too.
@Awinds (2468)
• United States
13 Jul 11
Simple, but true. I think that can apply to all areas of parenting. This is nothing like telling your kids not to smoke, but then doing so yourself. I think that can give rise to a bit of resentment, as kids are not stupid and they can smell the hypocrisy.
@nurseclare (2209)
• Philippines
13 Jul 11
I think it depends upon the person how the parents brought them up. We have to consider every aspect of the family. But mostly if the mother have done something undesirable stuff some daughters doesn't do the same thing some also does it. So, I think what matters most is the up bringing of the person. :)
•
13 Jul 11
I definitely this agreed with that, Because we can change are lifestyle such kind of bad vices from our parents or came from our grand generation. Even though you see it every day in your house, seeing your parents doing such kind of vices. I never believe that, be independent to your self, know your rules, be responsible,, and know the effects of bad vices, or you will suffer the consequence.
