Nature vs Nurture
One of my fellow ITA athletes, Matt Chisam, decathlete, sent out a query concerning nature vs nurture in regards to sports. I think nurture is much more important and nature only incidental. Below are my responses to his questions. Be sure to check out the thoughts of the other ITA athletes on this subject!
THE BASICS
1. What is the athletic background of your parents and family?
Neither of my parents have been competitive athletes, or even the more general definition of athletes who compete in their sport. My family was very active while I was growing up-- our summer vacations were week-long backpacking trips and I was introduced to a variety of sports and activities.
2. When did you begin participating in your sport?
I started skiing as soon as I could walk. I also competed in local races since I was young but I didn't think of myself as a ski racer until I was about 12 years old.
THE EXTRAS
1. What was your early experiences with sport like?
My early memories of sport are fun and laid-back. I don't remember any pressure and at races we were more concerned with hanging out before and after the race as what happened during the race. Participating in sports was a good reason to travel and hang out with my friends.
2. How instrumental were parents and coaches in the early part of your development as an athlete?
My parents have certainly been instrumental in my development as a person, which has had a big influence on me as an athlete. I've also had very good and influential coaches. Despite that, as a whole, my teammates and fellow athletes have been more instrumental in my development as an athlete. They're the ones who really inspire me to work hard because they're doing the same.
3. How were you introduced to your sport and how many other sports did you seriously participate in?
I was introduced to cross country skiing as a family activity. I also participated in the local youth program. I was a serious runner and road cyclist at various times but there was never a conflict in priorities-- I always knew that skiing was my number one sport-- everything else was cross-training for skiing!
4. Is your success a product of nature or nurture?
Both! There are attributes that are certainly genetic but without the encouragement and support of my family, friends & coaches I never would have realized that I had any talent. I would give more weight to nurture as a source of success because in any different setting I almost certainly would have taken up a different pursuit. I was first introduced to skiing and then given continuous opportunities to engage in it and learn.
5. Are you an expert in your field? (by your own definition)
Nope. It seems that I'm always on the cusp of being an expert in skiing, but every time I get close to that my definition of expert changes!
THE BASICS
1. What is the athletic background of your parents and family?
Neither of my parents have been competitive athletes, or even the more general definition of athletes who compete in their sport. My family was very active while I was growing up-- our summer vacations were week-long backpacking trips and I was introduced to a variety of sports and activities.
2. When did you begin participating in your sport?
I started skiing as soon as I could walk. I also competed in local races since I was young but I didn't think of myself as a ski racer until I was about 12 years old.
THE EXTRAS
1. What was your early experiences with sport like?
My early memories of sport are fun and laid-back. I don't remember any pressure and at races we were more concerned with hanging out before and after the race as what happened during the race. Participating in sports was a good reason to travel and hang out with my friends.
2. How instrumental were parents and coaches in the early part of your development as an athlete?
My parents have certainly been instrumental in my development as a person, which has had a big influence on me as an athlete. I've also had very good and influential coaches. Despite that, as a whole, my teammates and fellow athletes have been more instrumental in my development as an athlete. They're the ones who really inspire me to work hard because they're doing the same.
3. How were you introduced to your sport and how many other sports did you seriously participate in?
I was introduced to cross country skiing as a family activity. I also participated in the local youth program. I was a serious runner and road cyclist at various times but there was never a conflict in priorities-- I always knew that skiing was my number one sport-- everything else was cross-training for skiing!
4. Is your success a product of nature or nurture?
Both! There are attributes that are certainly genetic but without the encouragement and support of my family, friends & coaches I never would have realized that I had any talent. I would give more weight to nurture as a source of success because in any different setting I almost certainly would have taken up a different pursuit. I was first introduced to skiing and then given continuous opportunities to engage in it and learn.
5. Are you an expert in your field? (by your own definition)
Nope. It seems that I'm always on the cusp of being an expert in skiing, but every time I get close to that my definition of expert changes!
posted by LAV at 21:42
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