Everybody’s childhood experiences shape the way they grow into adults; every detail counts, with some of the smallest things having quite the impact! However, some aspects of childhood are more influential than others, just like the following 18 interesting ways your childhood affects your personality now.
Attachment Style in Relationships
Everyone has an attachment style in relationships, which Forbes points out is developed based on treatment from friends and partners. However, this also extends to parents, guardians, and siblings; if they provided you with healthy support and love, your attachment style is likely healthy, but otherwise, you may develop anxious attachments.
Parenting Styles
Parenting styles vary greatly, and they greatly affect your personality into adulthood. If you’re creative, your parents were probably quite relaxed, while if you are highly independent, your parents were likely strict and supportive at the same time. There are countless combinations of parenting styles and their associated adult traits.
Sibling Relationships
Sibling relationships can greatly impact how we bond with other people as adults. If you were close to your siblings as a child, you would likely be perceived as very approachable to others. Meanwhile, if you were competitive with each other, that likely led to insecurities, resulting in you frequently comparing yourself to others.
Cultural backgrounds
The traditions and beliefs that you were raised around influence who you are today greatly. Being raised around diverse cultures will usually result in open-mindedness while being raised in a monocultured environment may result in prejudices and biases. This isn’t always the case, though, because cultural differences are often also taught in school.
Parental Expectations
The expectations your parents had for you greatly influenced your adult personality. If their expectations differ from your own desires, this can lead to immense pressure and, subsequently, rebellion. On the other hand, if they always supported your wishes, you are likely far more grounded and comfortable with your aspirations and place in society.
Childhood Trauma
According to SAMHSA, having negative childhood experiences has an impact on an adult’s ability to create relationships and trust others, even if they are sincere. As an example, developing relationships can be extremely challenging for trauma victims. Thankfully, simply talking about this with a therapist can greatly aid your recovery.
Family Dynamics
Unsurprisingly, your family dynamics greatly impact your personality as you grow. Family bonding increases your happiness and makes you content, while tense family problems can result in high-stress personalities. If you’re a parent, appreciating and understanding your children can greatly impact this in a positive manner.
Peer Pressure
Contrary to popular belief, peer pressure can be good, not just bad. It generally comes from friends as a child and influences what you do, either encouraging you to try new things or pushing you into doing something you don’t want to do. Regardless, learning to make your own decisions is always wise.
Childhood Hobbies and Interests
Experimenting with hobbies as a child will manifest many positive traits into adulthood. For instance, participating in sports develops a healthy, active, and competitive nature, while playing computer games demonstrates your ability to network with rivals. There’s no such thing as a bad hobby, within reason!
School Experiences
Attending school plays a monumental part in our childhood; the things we study shape how we learn today, and doing well in school brings confidence, competitiveness, and proud feelings to succeed even more. Unfortunately, some students struggle, leading to anxiety and a general lack of confidence as adults.
Birth Order
Birth order is a famous way your childhood affects your adult traits; middle siblings are more adaptable, whereas eldest siblings typically assume leadership positions. Meanwhile, younger siblings are typically risk-takers and attention-seekers, and as the BBC claims, only children are stereotyped as entitled and selfish.
Role Models
While growing up, we all wanted to be like someone we looked up to, usually a family member, a famous person, or our school teacher. Inspiring role models in life can help you achieve great choices and goals. Hopefully, you choose carefully, because otherwise, there will be serious negative consequences.
Financial Status
Your parents’ financial status during childhood impacts many factors in your life, such as the way you live, your location, your education, and the opportunities you receive. Naturally, this results in a plethora of benefits or disbenefits; this isn’t black and white, though, because being raised poor can provide valuable character-building experiences.
Cultural Traditions
Cultural traditions are passed down from generation to generation in families, such as going on holidays, celebrating, and family rituals. All of these traditions create a sense of identity and belonging, forming strong connections with others and providing a sense of continuity and heritage. This is only a good thing as you grow older!
Parental involvement
If your parents helped you with homework, attended school events, and generally spent time with you, they probably made you feel loved and supported. If this wasn’t the case, however, this can sadly lead to you feeling neglected, which can develop into all manner of personality disorders and psychological complexes in adulthood.
Geographic Location
Whether you grow up in a city or a rural area shapes your prospects and experiences. Living in a city offers you a multitude of opportunities as a child and careers as an adult, while rural living offers a close-knit, community-focused childhood with plenty of outdoor activities. Both scenarios have a range of benefits and disbenefits when you grow up!
Family Values
Have you ever wondered how you’ve learned to treat others and make decisions in life? Well, that all comes from the beliefs and principles of family values. LoveToKnow emphasizes that if your family values honesty and kindness, you might prioritize being truthful and compassionate as an adult and vice versa.
Childhood Memories
Last but not least, everything mentioned in this list can be put into the same box: childhood memories. Everyone has them, some good and some bad, but all of these memories shape who we are today. It’s important to reflect back on these because it’s never too late to learn from them or show gratitude.
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