X
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product GuideSign in
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • COVID-19
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping

Introverted parents birth introverted children, but is it permanent?

3 min read
Introverted parents birth introverted children, but is it permanent?

If you and your spouse have introverted tendencies, chances are your children will be born with the same predisposition.

Describing the fruit of his 30-year research on shyness as “the most exciting,” Starch Professor of Psychology Jerome Kagan believes that a child’s tendency for shyness is an inherited biological trait.

In fact, it can even be detected in children as young as four months old.

What this basically means is that if you and your spouse have introverted tendencies, chances are your children will be born with the same predisposition.

Thankfully, this is not a sentence; things can change.

“One of the most significant discoveries of Kagan’s work is that shyness in children is a non-deterministic character trait,” says a Harvard Crimson article.

He also discovered that there are ways to alleviate it in one’s childhood years with the help of certain environmental factors. However, his research shows that uninhibited children were less likely to show behavioral changes.

“If we put shy children in an environment where a set behavior can be transformed early, shyness can be attenuated,” says Professor of Education Howard E. Gardner. “No one is marked at birth.”

In her Parent Herald story, Lani Lane agrees: she has always been an introvert growing up, tearing up as soon as someone comes up to her to ask something or to simply speak.

“I am most affected by my teachers,” she says. “I have just three close friends but most of the time, I enjoy myself alone in the house.”

This attitude remained until she finished college, and the sudden change of environment from the one she’s used to changed her social skills.

“I am the opposite of who I am before. I can socialize with any person of any age from toddlers to senior citizens. I still am introvert at some degree but it is totally balanced now. I do not fear people anymore unlike before. I would agree that being an introvert is inherited but not permanent.”

Professor Jerome Kagan says that his 30-year study ushers in a new frontier in research.

“There are many next steps [to my research],” he says. “There is genetics, [as well as] determining what it is that can change the disposition of a child.”

READ: Tips on dealing with a shy child

If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below or check out theAsianparent Community for more insightful parenting news and tips . Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!

Partner Stories
From Past to Present: How NIDO® 3+’s “You're My #1” Song Connects #1Moms and Their Toddlers
From Past to Present: How NIDO® 3+’s “You're My #1” Song Connects #1Moms and Their Toddlers
5 Tips To Challenge Your Child For His All-Around Development
5 Tips To Challenge Your Child For His All-Around Development
3 Game Changing Baby Products that’s Now Available
3 Game Changing Baby Products that’s Now Available
BATANG MATIBAY: How this OFW's 12-year-old Son Shines at School and at Home
BATANG MATIBAY: How this OFW's 12-year-old Son Shines at School and at Home

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

James Martinez

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Development
  • /
  • Introverted parents birth introverted children, but is it permanent?
Share:
  • Dyslexia in children: What you should know about it

    Dyslexia in children: What you should know about it

  • 3 month old baby: Development and milestones you should know

    3 month old baby: Development and milestones you should know

  • Learning disability in children: How to check and how you can help them?

    Learning disability in children: How to check and how you can help them?

  • Dyslexia in children: What you should know about it

    Dyslexia in children: What you should know about it

  • 3 month old baby: Development and milestones you should know

    3 month old baby: Development and milestones you should know

  • Learning disability in children: How to check and how you can help them?

    Learning disability in children: How to check and how you can help them?

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Baby Names
    • Delivery
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Advice for Parenting Kids
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Local celebs
    • Celebrities
    • Money
    • News
  • FAMILY & HOME
    • Couples
    • Weekend & Holiday Guide
    • Health
  • Building a BakuNation
    • More
      • TAP Community
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us
      • Become a Contributor


    • Singapore flag Singapore
    • Thailand flag Thailand
    • Indonesia flag Indonesia
    • Philippines flag Philippines
    • Malaysia flag Malaysia
    • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
    • India flag India
    • Vietnam flag Vietnam
    • Australia flag Australia
    • Japan flag Japan
    • Nigeria flag Nigeria
    • Kenya flag Kenya
    © Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
    About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
    • Tools
    • Articles
    • Feed
    • Poll

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it