Nature or nurture

The debate about "nature or nurture" never stops. Some people prodigies are born, but I think they are made by both their family and themselves.

Family education plays a vital role in prodigy growing. Parents are the first teachers to a child. It is commonly seen that those who gradually became musicians since borned in a music family. That is because they grow up in the specific environment with piano, music box or just melody every day even since they are born. Thus, children are easily influenced by what they constantly see and hear. Moreover, children have more opportunities to get to experts on the field or other resources than their peers due to parents’ social network, which will be catalyzes to the shaping of children. Therefore, family has inestimably great influence on the development of the abilities of children.

Individual effort, on the other hand, is also a factor to produce prodigies. Thomas Edison belongs to the class of genius. But when the public wondered the key to his success, he responded that genius is one per cent inspiration, ninety-nine per cent perspiration. Inspiration is essential, but only constitutes a very small part. Hard work is the most important thing for a successful person. Michael Jordan was characterized by his unparalleled physical attributes since he entered NBA. But inborn advantage cannot guarantee him one of the best basketball players in history. He kept practicing basketball every day. He was always the last one to leave the court after training. Therefore, hardworking cannot be simply ignored to produce prodigies.