Genes influence how children develop, but repeated experiences at home also shape emotional regulation, resilience and relationships, according to psychologists and developmental research.
Parents cannot control the genes their children inherit, but they do have far more influence than many fatalistic debates suggest. Anastasia Rodina, a psychologist and neurophysiologist quoted by aif.ru, argues that child-rearing works best when adults understand both biology and environment rather than treating either one as all-powerful. Her central point is simple: early experience helps shape the brain, and repeated patterns in the home can leave lasting marks on how children regulate emotion, cope with stress and relate to others.
That view is broadly consistent with research showing that development is shaped by a constant interaction between inherited traits and social experience. A study published in Nature found that genetics has a meaningful influence on cognitive development from childhood into adulthood, while work from Penn State has described parenting as one part of a wider system in which genetic and environmental processes interact. In other words, children are not blank slates, but neither are they prisoners of heredity.
Rodina’s warning is that harsh discipline, chronic stress and emotional inconsistency can train a child’s brain in damaging ways. She says repeated punishment, fear and criticism do not build self-control; instead, they can encourage either shutdown or rebellion later in life. That is in line with research in developmental neuropsychology, which has long linked early biological and environmental pressures to later difficulties in learning, emotional regulation and behaviour. Another study, published in 2022, found that parenting practices can help transmit executive functioning across generations through environmental pathways, even when genetics also plays a role.
She identifies five common mistakes that can undermine healthy development. The first is overprotection, which deprives children of the chance to practise resilience. The second is emotional coldness, which can push a child towards avoidance, insecurity or unhealthy dependence in later relationships. The third is constant criticism, which can teach a child that effort leads to reproach rather than progress. The fourth is comparison with other children, a habit that can erode confidence and intensify perfectionism. The fifth is inconsistency, especially when one parent rewards a behaviour and another punishes it, leaving the child unable to predict what is expected.
The broader lesson is that good parenting is less about perfection than about steadiness. Children do not need parents who never make mistakes; they need adults who are emotionally available, reliable and able to respond to error without humiliation. Rodina’s advice reflects a wider body of research suggesting that while genes matter, everyday interactions still shape how those genes are expressed in practice. For parents and carers, that means the most important work is often the ordinary one: setting clear boundaries, offering support, and creating a home where children can test limits without feeling unsafe.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
