48 pages • 1 hour read
Judith Rich HarrisThe Nurture Assumption: Why Children Turn Out the Way They Do
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1998A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Nurture Assumption by Judith Rich Harris challenges the belief that parenting is the primary influence on child development. Harris uses scientific evidence to debunk this assumption and introduces "group socialization theory," suggesting children are more influenced by peers than parents. She explores various topics, including human evolution, peer relationships, and cultural variations in parenting practices. The book addresses human development through traumatic experiences.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Nurture Assumption by Judith Rich Harris challenges the conventional belief that parenting shapes children's personalities, proposing instead that peers play a more significant role. While some praise its innovative perspective and extensive research, others criticize its overreliance on controversial theories. The book’s stimulating arguments spark important debates in psychology and parenting.
Who Should Read The Nurture Assumption?
The ideal reader for The Nurture Assumption by Judith Rich Harris is someone intrigued by child development and parenting theories. Comparable to readers of The Blank Slate by Steven Pinker and The Drama of the Gifted Child by Alice Miller, they question traditional notions of nature vs. nurture and enjoy scientific debates.