Very interesting topic but it's hard to reach a conclusion because most of us only really have our own experiences to analyse indepth.

My parents definitely tried their best and they are good people. However, I firmly believe that my life would have turned out quite differently with more encouraging parents.

But the differences between siblings is always quite compelling in the nature vs nurture argument. Temperament aside, I'm really not sure if my sister and I have the same values but we may be an extreme case as DP says he has never met siblings so dissimilar.

I think most of us would agree that children's personality is already pre-determined to a large extent when they come out. As I've said before in my posts, I can't take the credit for DD being outgoing and sociable because she really hasn't socialised with that many children. I haven't nurtured her outgoing nature, that's just the way she is. However, I guess if I thought that she was naturally shy, then I may have made more effort to make sure that she did meet other kids. Similarly, she's quite a daredevil - I'm happy that she is but nothing I've done has made her that way. But again, if she was naturally quite fearful then I would be trying to think of ways to help her not to be.

WIll come back when I've thought more.