Genetics - what inherited traits have you observed
Mike Harding said
01:57 PM Aug 4, 2022
It just occurred to me that this is the perfect forum on which to ask this question because the only people who can give a really valid answer are old people - that's you and me friends :(
Now we all know that children inherit some characteristics from their parents (and grandparents et al) eg. eye colour, hair colour, skin colour etc but what I am really interested in is the personality traits they may inherit.
For example: my younger son hardly knew my wife's father, FIL died when son was two and as we lived some distance apart they only saw one-another occasionally, nevertheless... FIL had a mannerism when, say, he'd been asked a question which required some thought in that he would rub his chin with fingers of his left hand - my younger son does exactly the same :)
Also; my brother's youngest daughter was a *terrible* sulker below the age of, say, 18 (not a lot better after!) - my elder son behaves in a very similar manner to this day and he's now into his forties!
As you may suspect; I am a supporter of the nature side of the nature vs nurture debate and having observed many relatives over these last near seven decades from multiple branches of two families I am convinced all sorts of things we don't expect are passed along in the genetics.
I wonder what you have observed?
The Travelling Dillberries said
03:07 PM Aug 4, 2022
I didn't get a long time to get to know my mother in law, she died young.
One trait she had was to hide lollies under a blanket while watching TV. All we would hear was a rustle of paper. Never shared them.
Her daughter is the same.
Probably not what you're after but good for a laugh.
Mike Harding said
04:01 PM Aug 4, 2022
We are all inherently selfish and it may be that secretive behaviour enhances the benifits of being selfish and improves our chances of obtaining the outcome we seek. I would not be at all surprised if such a trait were passed down.
86GTS said
04:30 PM Aug 4, 2022
We are currently watch/streaming the British show "Long Lost Family", we find it fantastic.
There are many examples of people who have been adopted as infants meeting their birth Mother or Father & finally realising where their personal habits/traits came from.
Gaylehere said
04:37 PM Aug 4, 2022
I am definitely my parents daughter and I can see it in my mannerisms as I get older. It scares me a little.
Whenarewethere said
05:05 PM Aug 4, 2022
I was having a longer chat with someone in a real estate agent years ago. A young girl with baby on the way. Anyway to get to the point, everyone in her family for generations had died by 52 due to heart issues.
She said one has to get on with life & forget saving for retirement as best as possible.
Possum3 said
05:26 PM Aug 4, 2022
I object Mike, I'm not old - just experienced.
Physically I am the spit image of my Mother's Father, one of my three Sons is the image of younger me - My self and two of my Sons copy mannerisms, etc. of my Father although my Mother's features can be seen in all
My Daughter is the image of my Mother but has the mannerisms of her Mother.
Of my nine Grand-children - three have the features and colouring of myself the other six have the features of their respective Mothers.
That being said, in photographs of all the kids and grandkids they appear virtually similar at around 5 years of age. with the exception of two grandkids that are children of my youngest Son, who married a Chinese girl.
Nevd said
09:24 AM Aug 5, 2022
My Dad was a bushie who had a particular gait that enabled him to go steadily all day. A few years ago after a really big day in the yard I caught myself walking the same way. I thought OMG I've turned into my father! I just wish I had his stamina.
Derek Barnes said
02:24 PM Aug 5, 2022
One of my sisters and I are very much like our dad, and have many of dad's mannerisms. For example we are all large and we all walk along with our hands behind our backs (without even realising we are doing this). We also don't like social gatherings and would rather be alone.
My other sister takes after my mother. For example she is very short and slim. Both my mum and other sister like social gatherings and like to meet new people.
There must be some genetic component working here.
oxleigh said
12:16 AM Aug 25, 2022
86GTS wrote:
We are currently watch/streaming the British show "Long Lost Family", we find it fantastic. There are many examples of people who have been adopted as infants meeting their birth Mother or Father & finally realising where their personal habits/traits came from.
I first met my eldest son around his 40th birthday, he was kept a secret from me all those years, He is very much like me in looks but also mannerisms, speech etc, his wife, who I met at the same time said he is so much like me as he thinks all other drivers are idiots and unskilled. He looks more like me than my other 2 from a different mother.
DMaxer said
08:36 AM Aug 25, 2022
My parents were incredibly good looking, absolutely brilliant academically and extremely modest. I inherited all three characteristics.
Mike Harding said
12:57 PM Aug 25, 2022
Have you had a DNA test done?
Izabarack said
06:32 AM Aug 26, 2022
Freud and anyone into NLP will have a lot to say about mannerisms displayed by the children. Same goes for attitudes, especially Political leanings.
It just occurred to me that this is the perfect forum on which to ask this question because the only people who can give a really valid answer are old people - that's you and me friends :(
Now we all know that children inherit some characteristics from their parents (and grandparents et al) eg. eye colour, hair colour, skin colour etc but what I am really interested in is the personality traits they may inherit.
For example: my younger son hardly knew my wife's father, FIL died when son was two and as we lived some distance apart they only saw one-another occasionally, nevertheless... FIL had a mannerism when, say, he'd been asked a question which required some thought in that he would rub his chin with fingers of his left hand - my younger son does exactly the same :)
Also; my brother's youngest daughter was a *terrible* sulker below the age of, say, 18 (not a lot better after!) - my elder son behaves in a very similar manner to this day and he's now into his forties!
As you may suspect; I am a supporter of the nature side of the nature vs nurture debate and having observed many relatives over these last near seven decades from multiple branches of two families I am convinced all sorts of things we don't expect are passed along in the genetics.
I wonder what you have observed?
I didn't get a long time to get to know my mother in law, she died young.
One trait she had was to hide lollies under a blanket while watching TV. All we would hear was a rustle of paper. Never shared them.
Her daughter is the same.
Probably not what you're after but good for a laugh.
We are all inherently selfish and it may be that secretive behaviour enhances the benifits of being selfish and improves our chances of obtaining the outcome we seek. I would not be at all surprised if such a trait were passed down.
There are many examples of people who have been adopted as infants meeting their birth Mother or Father & finally realising where their personal habits/traits came from.
I was having a longer chat with someone in a real estate agent years ago. A young girl with baby on the way. Anyway to get to the point, everyone in her family for generations had died by 52 due to heart issues.
She said one has to get on with life & forget saving for retirement as best as possible.
Physically I am the spit image of my Mother's Father, one of my three Sons is the image of younger me - My self and two of my Sons copy mannerisms, etc. of my Father although my Mother's features can be seen in all
My Daughter is the image of my Mother but has the mannerisms of her Mother.
Of my nine Grand-children - three have the features and colouring of myself the other six have the features of their respective Mothers.
That being said, in photographs of all the kids and grandkids they appear virtually similar at around 5 years of age. with the exception of two grandkids that are children of my youngest Son, who married a Chinese girl.
One of my sisters and I are very much like our dad, and have many of dad's mannerisms. For example we are all large and we all walk along with our hands behind our backs (without even realising we are doing this). We also don't like social gatherings and would rather be alone.
My other sister takes after my mother. For example she is very short and slim. Both my mum and other sister like social gatherings and like to meet new people.
There must be some genetic component working here.
I first met my eldest son around his 40th birthday, he was kept a secret from me all those years, He is very much like me in looks but also mannerisms, speech etc, his wife, who I met at the same time said he is so much like me as he thinks all other drivers are idiots and unskilled. He looks more like me than my other 2 from a different mother.
Have you had a DNA test done?
Freud and anyone into NLP will have a lot to say about mannerisms displayed by the children. Same goes for attitudes, especially Political leanings.