Are adopted kids shaped more by their birth parents' DNA or their adopted parents' behavior?

Answer 1

DNA makes them who they are, but the adopted parents form them into who they will become.

Answer 2

A baby is more shaped by their adoptive parents' behavior. Older children may be emotionally shaped by the birth parents as well as the adoptive parents. The birth parents' DNA will shape their physical features only and even then it has been proven that children will adapt to their surrounding even physically (somewhat). Hope that answers that.

Answer 3

As an adoptive parent I can see the DNA as you say in my children in the sense of the way they deal with things, but in the upbringing I have given them I see the love and care they would never have gotten in their biological family. So I think it is a combination.

Answer 4

nurture verses nature, a highly debated subject and i think probably varies. i don't think one or the other will turn out to be absolutely true, if the research ever gets completed, i think some will be more influenced by DNA and some behavior. there is too much that isn't known about genetics and how exactly they effect behavior to be able to say for sure. there is a lot of research out there on the subject though if you are really interested. good question though!

Answer 5

Continuous contact with the adopted parents is the main factor in developing character.

Answer 6

OK There are traits of adopted kids that are of their biological parents. I just met my niece who was given up for adoption 19 years ago. She had aways felt that she was different and she has habits that she did not understand why she had them... but once she met her biological family it all made since to her... the way she walks the way she talks the way she looks and all of her interest. She is fabulous with playing the guitar and sings beautifully nobody in her adoptive family did this. Every body in her biological family are either writers, singer, artist, or plays some kind of instrument.. Her adoptive parents wanted to stagnate this in her. She is now living with her biological sister. It is really a blessing to know her. My son was also born on her birthday.

I was also raised in foster care and didn't meet my mom or dad until I was 16 or 17 years old. The traits and actions are uncanny. I recommend anyone who knows that they are adopted or was in foster care to meet their bilogical parents. But if you do do this don't expect anything that way you want be hurt.

Then I also have a nother neice that was raised by her mother but her dad left her before she was born...She is now 26 years old and she has talked to her dad for the first time and it is uncanny how much she looks like him and how her daughter looks like him also... She wished that she had of looked him up way before now, but due to fear of rejection she waited. Now she has a really good relationship with her bio. dad...

Even if someone is denied by their bio parents there are other family members who would love to know you especially your siblings.

I also found out just recently that where I live now is where my father grew up. my son is now going to school with alot of cousins and if I didn't know this he could have possible ended up dating or marring someone of close relation to him.

I feel it is best for adoptive children and foster children to look for their bio family so at least they know not to get in a relationship with someone kin also they will know what medical conditions run in their family. For there are many in mine.

Also my eldest son and a neighbor hood boy became best buddies and after playing together for over three years they found out that they are third cousins... My son's grandfather and this other kid's grandmother were brother and sister...

yep this has been my life...

Answer 7

I believe both but just remember your adopted parents CHOSE you because you were special to them. They helped and aided you and tried their best to get you acclimated to this world. I don't know what your situation is with your birth parents but try to remember that they did what they thought was best for you.

Answer 8

the way they look is DNA the way they act depends on how long they lived with their adopted mom and dad

Answer 9

depends. genetic things like looks will come from their biological parents while things like behavior, personality will come from the adopting parents.

Answer 10

it's a mixture of both. Some tendencies are stronger through DNA, others are more environmental. That is actually a very complex question that scientists are still discovering answers to. :)