A Reaction to Sharon Begley’s The Parent Trap Essay Example

enough to affect the child's behavior in the long term and into adulthood. While some of Harris's arguments provide food for thought, her selectivity regarding which studies to take into account makes the objectivity of her study suspect. There are studies from many of leading scholars that run contrary to Harris's thesis.

These studies also shatter Harris's assumption that behavior is determined (for the most part) by genes. However, as Begley points out, Harris largely ignored these studies. The scrutiny surrounding Harris's methodology does hold weight. The very backbone of Harris’ study refers to very small sampling sizes and the results of questionnaires (which, Begley rightly points out, are notoriously unreliable in reflecting reality). If the nurture assumption is an “assumption”, then Harris’ thesis is a “super assumption”, in the sense that it is an extreme position backed by much less evidence.

I agree with Begley’s implication that Harris's study is one that was tailor-made to support an already pre-conceived conclusion. Any scientist or researcher who is overzealous or who is motivated to get certain results is at a danger of consciously or subconsciously distorting the facts or designing a study to conform to their expectations. In her conclusion, Begley cleverly uses Harris’ own contention to encourage a critical attitude towards Harris’ work.

Begley cites Harris as bemoaning the “tendency to carry things to extremes, to push ideas beyond their logical limits,” and Begley adds that “everyone who cares about children can only hope that readers bring the same skepticism. ” It is clear from Begley’s “The Parent Trap” that she has little regard for Harris’ book. Begley’s overall message is that “The Nurture Assumption” should be taken

with a large grain of salt, and this is probably the best way of approaching Harris’ work.