The Nurture Assumption Book Summary

In 'The Nurture Assumption,' Judith Rich Harris challenges the conventional belief that parenting is the primary determinant of a child's development. Instead, she argues that peers, social environments, and innate temperament play a far more significant role in shaping who we become. With compelling research and engaging anecdotes, Harris explores the surprising influences on personality and behavior that lie beyond the family dynamic. This thought-provoking book invites readers to rethink the impact of their upbringing and the factors that truly mold identity. Discover how our relationships outside the home might hold the key to understanding ourselves and each other.

By Judith Rich Harris

Published: 2009

""The family is not the only place where children learn and grow; peers, culture, and circumstances play a profound role in shaping who they become.""

Book Review of The Nurture Assumption

"Explains why parents have little power to determine the sort of people their children become. It is what children experience outside the home, in the company of their peers, that matters most. Parents don't socialize children: children socialize children."--Publisher's description.

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"The family is not the only place where children learn and grow; peers, culture, and circumstances play a profound role in shaping who they become."

The Nurture Assumption

By Judith Rich Harris