Is a child’s behavior/personality always reflective on their home life?

🔴-yes, always, a child’s personality is built by their parenting and home life

🔵-a child’s behavior is both based on their home life and nature; they are partially born with a base personality that they will have regardless of parenting/home life

🟢-no, never, a child’s behavior and personality is simply how they were born/their individual brain chemistry/their “soul”

My son will be three in a few weeks and his personality is extremely intense. He can be violent at times, he’s extremely stubborn and willful, and at times he’s even purposely mean. For example, this morning, I was not making breakfast quickly enough for him and he hit himself in the head and then tried to kick his baby brother. Yesterday, in Walmart, he screamed for a new toy. I said “not today, maybe tomorrow” and he continued to screech and hit himself until we left. When he’s in a good mood, he’s curious, playful, affectionate, and sweet. He will pet my head. Kiss my boo-boos. Give his baby brother a blanket. Hug the dog. However, when he’s in a bad mood or not getting what he wants, he will hit me, hit himself, throw things, scream, and thrash around like a fish. I’ve been curious if his behavior is purely being a toddler, or if his anger will carry on throughout his life.

He has unfortunately experienced some abuse from his father. Nothing physical, but he is a man who can’t control his own temper, yells, belittles, and has said things like “what the fuck is wrong with you?” and has called him names like “asshole”.

Do you think children are just born how they are? They’re born with their personalities and behavior? Or is it shaped by their parenting and home life?