Can you tell how a child will turn out?
 

Do you think you can look at the character traits of a child and see what sort of adult they will become?

I knew someone who worked with children for many years who used to say 'show me the 7 year old boy and I will show you the man'

Do you think that's true?

In some cases it's possible yes. But that is why you have to get to them early, because once into their late teens, very little chance of change

You can to an extent.

I firmly believe in most cases...how kids are brought up shapes how they are as adults

Obviously there are a few that totally shock everyone though and go the total opposite way. And their teenage life(which crowd they get 'in' with etc) can alter everything too

To a point yeah but life experiences will also be a factor in shaping the child

Edit : or exactly what Vicky said f/

Agree with vicky and Niamh, its just the nature vs nurture argument though.

Yes, I guess it is the like nature v nurture and the social environment and family background dictates a lot. But if you've got say a child who is a 'leader' and another who is a 'sheep', I wonder if they follow that same pattern through adultdood. Same as the bully and victim, or popular and unpopular. Interestingly, just about everybody I know will say they weren't in the popular crowd at school but nobody seems to say they were in the in crowd.

hhhmmm, But most people who say they weren't in the "in" crowd can name who the in crowd were

have a look at their parents as that is what they become whether they like it or not

Not always

In some cases, yes. It is also possible to detect disorders, i.e. Down's Syndrome. :)