Interesting thread. Looking at my life, I'd say the hard times and difficulties shaped my character more than the pleasant memories. Though, of course, to be emotionally secure there's got to be a balance. It seems that problems make you grow and learn. The things I've gone through that weren't easy have definitely made me better able to relate to other people, given me ambition, and in general matured my outlook on life. I also think sunsigns have a lot to do with personality, along with the character of those around you and, of course, some things are hereditary
Well, I have to say that everything contributes to personality. I feel that my genetics shaped part of me, making me stubborn and somewhat standoffish with people from birth (like my bio. father, whom I didn't meet for 8 years). And then, the experiences I had with my adoptive father, my family, friends, deaths, births, schooling, and every other life experience honed those traights to make me what I am now, as well as developing several other factors in my personality. I don't believe that there is any one thing that can be a stand-out force in making us what we are. It's everything.
I think that my upbringing had so much to do with wh I am myself however I do think that there were a lot of paths in the road that I deliberately chose things that would challenge that upbringing just to see what would eventuate and how I would fare...I don't believe it is everything to what makes a person, experience has so much to do with it all as well.
There are volumes written on this. I have two degrees on the subject ( a BS and an MS, In Psychology and Child Development) and I am still learning. No one is SURE just what causes certain personalities to form and at least part of it is inborn. Even the basics are complicated. A child needs to know he is safe. He needs to know that his cries mean something to those who care for him. His care needs to be consistant. He should not be ignored, especially in the early formative years. He should learn discipline, without abuse being used. He needs to know that there are adults he can turn to when he needs them, regardless of what is going on in THEIR lives. He needs love, and it needs to be put into action. He needs good food, warm clothes, physical contact with a care giver, someone who talks to him, a few good toys, a safe enviroment, consistant care, ect. These will usually (but not always) result in a healthy personality. As for all the differences in personality, no internet BB thread could address all of this. This is something that every parents needs to know almost my instinct, and then, there are always things which are beyond the parent's control (money issues, often, inborn differences, physical problems or deficits, family dynamics, even things like physical appearance.) It isn't easy.
