Are we born good and society makes us evil; or does good come only after we have been

influenced by society? According to Rousseau’s belief is that people, in their core, were

good will follow their natural inclinations and intuitions, will develop their potential and

benefit themselves and those around them. In some way, I see that how that could be true

to some extent I believe that we become good through nature and nurturing that we learn

from our parents, many of whom instill in us ‘God fearing morals’ which lead us to

become good. Therefore, it then in our own potential to decide to be good or evil based

on how we choose except God and our parents guidance into our lives.

Who know at what point in time does a child know the difference between right and

wrong, good and evil? At what time does that interpretation change from its wrong to not

to it is wrong to kill someone or steal? When man first enters the world as an innocent

child, he has no knowledge of what is good or bad. Therefore I believe we do not

purposely commit a good or bad deed. As we learn and grow we are influenced by our

elements or environment. This is done in my ways by our upbringing from our parents,

physical environment, peer pressure, and economics. There are many things that

influence how and what we become as a person, but the most important would be our

upbringing and personal conviction. For some of us that believe God plays a vital role in

determining how we treat others. In the Christian religion, we believe that all have sinned

and come short of the glory of God. The way I see it is that we are become good and it is

through nature and nurturing that we learn from our parents, many of whom instill in us

God fearing morals which lead us to become good. Therefore it then in our own potential

to decide to be good or evil based on how we choose except God in our lives.
In more than one way, a child’s environment shapes their world, his perspective on life,

his morals and standards; his definition of what is right and what is wrong. Knowing the

power of love as well as having a sense of belonging is an environment that will give a

child a solid foundation to turn back to; whereas children who have been neglected and

abandoned, will turn to alternative pathways – usually not very good ones. Most recently,

yesterday’s Record Searchlight tells a story of Daniel Scruggs, who grew up in a

cluttered, dirty home where he committed suicide when he was just twelve years old.

Critics say that Daniel was depressed and neglected. Unfortunately, Daniel saw only one

way out of his misery…and that was to take his life. Even literature illustrates this truth -

In the novel Animal Farm, a brood of pups are taken away from their mother and are

raised by a greedy, power-hungry pig that uses them to maintain power and to reinforce

his presence. The pups had no choice in the matter and grew up to be violent, blood-

thirsty dogs. Upbringing is so important, it leaves life-long impressions. So many things

affect a child’s perspective on what is right and what is wrong, and it is up to parents...