Why environment is a critical variable in the pursuit of "idealized self"
The environment is one of the variables we can alter
When we look at animals we learn there are warm and cold blooded animals. The cold blooded animals are much more vulnerable to their environments than the warm blooded animals which can generate heat on their own. Fish for example are often cold blooded which means if the temperature of the water goes up or down this can be expected to alter the behavior of the fish who must live in the water.
Humans like all lifeforms adapt to the environment they are in. When we hear the phrase "product of environment" it means that the environment shapes the individual (personality included) which produces the behavior patterns. When we discuss ethics we have virtue ethics (character and intent are important), deontological ethics (where strict laws or commands are to be followed) and consequentialism (where the outcome matters more than intent).
Markets are known to shape behaviors in animals by way of incentives. If an animal understands risk vs benefit, reward vs cost, then all interactions (including social relationships) have some measurable worth. In the social context (according to social exchange theory) this measurable worth of a relationship is determined by W = R - C which is worth is equal to the rewards of the relationship minus the cost. On a subconscious level most animals do use something like this, including non human animals which you have as friends or think of as pets. The markets (in my current opinion) work mostly on consequentialist thinking, where market participants chase profits, rewards, pleasure and want to minimize costs, risks, pain.
All of this matters because in the wrong environment even a person who does what their environment required of them for them to be happy, they might still in another context and in a different environment be deemed a "bad" or even "horrible" person, and they themselves may not want to be the person the environment requires them to be.
Why it is important to provide children (and adults) with an idealized environment
In my opinion this applies to everyone regardless of gender, age, genetics, and to life in general, where the environmental variable is the most changeable (genetics cannot be changed so easily, nor can aging or gender easily be modified). If a child is given an environment where they can have diverse experiences, with many different influences, this can help their brain to develop possibly even at a faster rate. I admit this is a hypothesis for intelligence, but in my opinion the intelligence of a child comes from the quality and diversify of experiences they have while their brain is in the critical phases. Neuroplasticity also takes place in adults, and it has been shown that people who speak multiple languages have some mental advantages.
What the ideal environment is remains up for debate and we can discuss it, but negative environments are like gladiator schools. It might make sense if the goal is to produce gladiators but if this is not the ideal personality and behavior patterns then the harsh conditions of these environments might not be ideal. We have to remember, the environment is what teaches some of the most important lessons in life, from rationality, to empathy, to logic, to communication skills, to character.
Some ideas on how to make changes to the environment to change yourself
If you can surround yourself with people who can help you to reach your idealized self then this is a good first step. These people of course have to want you to reach your idealized self and some people are unfortunately surrounded by people who don't want the best for them.
If you develop enough discipline to determine who you need around you and who you don't, then you will be able to factor this into the subconscious costs of interaction. If a person doesn't care about your happiness or your best interest (according to your idealized self concept) then being around that person could result in you becoming more like that person and less like the person you want to become. Of course it's not a matter of one particular person but if it's many people around you who are not helping you move forward then perhaps you should consider cutting your losses, but be aware this is psychologically and emotionally difficult.
Build a team if you can, of people who you can rely on for advice, for honest critiques (critical review of you as a person), for inspiration. Some people find this on social media but social media has flaws of it's own.
Be ready to move and be prepared to travel. Sometimes the only way to grow is to go somewhere else. If you find that you're not progressing as a person then consider if you should position yourself to meet new people on a more regular basis, and by new people it means new thinking, new ideas, new inspiration. In this, being able to speak multiple languages seems to help, but with Google it is likely possible now to translate speech to your chosen language.
References
If you enjoyed this post you may be interested in another post of mine: Meal Prep - Precision Nutrition for the masses.
If you are interested in saving time and in adding a level of precision to the nutritional planning you do for yourself and those you care about then learn about more meal prep.
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