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minimalist_coach t1_jeb3zki wrote

We are usually the product of the environment we grew up in.

My parents were divorced and I was raised by my father who highly valued education and was a lifelong learner. My sisters were raised by my mother, who valued homemaking and birthing children. I was teased about reading so much, I was told the only reason to go to school was to find a husband. When we were raising our kids my sisters would complain that the schools gave too much homework and allowed their children to not do it and blame the school when they would fail classes. My kids went to college and both still love to read and take classes.

I'm retired and I'm the only one of 5 siblings that read and continues to actively learn new things. My siblings continue to mock me about it.

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SeriousQuestions111 OP t1_jeb5ha8 wrote

That's a great viewpoint, thank you. It's the exact reason I'm asking - to get an objective feel for it. I was blessed with having a linguistic educator for a parent and have been reading as early as I can remember. Environment is definitely an important factor, but now I'm wondering whether thirst for knowledge is inborn or passed on to intentionally.

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minimalist_coach t1_jebonb7 wrote

I know there is also a belief that we need to be "productive" all the time. I don't subscribe to that philosophy and choose to spend some of my time just enjoying what life has to offer.

I can't recall ever being asked by people outside of my family why I "waste my time" reading, but if I ever was asked, I would probably respond that I have created a life that allows me to spend time doing what I want to do, and reading is top of that list.

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