Who Do Children Take After More—Mom or Dad? Genetic and Environmental Truths About Inherited Traits

We often hear familiar comments after a child is born—statements like:

"This boy is a copy of his father!"

"The girl looks just like her mother!"

While such phrases may seem harmless and even sweet, they raise deeper scientific questions:

Do children inherit hair color or eye shape from one parent more than the other?

Do they also inherit most of their personality traits from parents?

Are boys more influenced by their fathers and girls by their mothers?

Or are there more nuanced truths we need to understand?

In this report, Dr. Momtaz El-Alfi, a professor of child psychology and a human development lecturer, helps us explore the traits children inherit from their mother and father, and whether a child’s personality is genetic or acquired. He also explains the concept of the “gene-environment interaction”—a term rooted in the latest findings in behavioral psychology, genetics, and education.

Traits Children Inherit from Mom vs. Dad

Eye Color

Dark eye color is dominant among Arab populations, while light eye color is recessive. If the father has blue eyes and the mother has brown eyes, there’s still a chance for the child to have blue eyes.

Body Size

A child’s physical build is influenced by both parents. If the father is tall and broad-shouldered, the children are likely to inherit this build. Conversely, a short father often passes on his height.

Left-Handedness

Left-handedness is a recessive trait, meaning it’s less common but still inheritable from either parent.

Dimples

These are dominant traits. A dimple on the cheek or chin can be passed down from either parent.

Hair

Children inherit hair color and texture (straight or curly) from their parents, often from the mother.

Diabetes

The risk of diabetes is strongly hereditary. If the mother had gestational diabetes, the child could be at risk unless managed properly.

Teeth

Strong, cavity-resistant teeth are often inherited from the father. Conversely, poor dental alignment or susceptibility to decay can also be passed down.

Sleeping Habits

Children tend to inherit sleeping patterns from the father, although insomnia or habits like napping may come from the mother.

Headaches

Children may inherit a tendency for headaches—especially during adolescence—regardless of gender, typically from the mother.

60% of a Child’s Traits Are Genetic

Studies suggest that a significant portion of a child’s personality is inherited.

These include:

• Calmness or anxiety

• Intelligence

• Introversion or extroversion

• Risk-taking

• Emotional sensitivity

Even identical twins raised in different environments often share emotional and behavioral traits, proving that genetics play a key role—up to 60% in some cases.

However, this doesn’t mean we’re ruled entirely by our genes. A child may have certain genetic tendencies that remain dormant unless the environment activates or suppresses them.

The Role of Environment and Upbringing

The environment includes everything surrounding the child from birth—parenting style, family dynamics, education, cultural influences, and even traumatic or supportive experiences.

Research shows that how parents treat their child—whether with affection and kindness or with harsh discipline—deeply shapes their personality.

Example: A child genetically predisposed to anxiety might not develop it if raised in a secure and nurturing home. However, if exposed to constant stress, that inherited trait may intensify and become a dominant part of their personality.

Even the type of education matters. Studies show that children raised in culturally rich and intellectually stimulating environments are 25% more likely to reach their full intellectual potential—even if they weren’t genetically predisposed to high intelligence.

Gene–Environment Interaction: A Scientific Concept

Genetics and environment are not two separate lines—they interact constantly in what scientists call “gene–environment interaction.”

This means genetics define potential, but environment and upbringing decide whether that potential will emerge or remain dormant.

Example: A child may have a genetic inclination toward music, but if never exposed to instruments or encouraged creatively, this trait may never manifest. However, in a home that promotes music and artistic expression, the child might thrive and become a talented musician.

This applies to leadership, creativity, or even negative traits like aggression or social withdrawal.

Studies show that 80% of a child’s mental development happens in the first three years—a time when emotional security and family environment have the greatest influence.

Do Boys Inherit More From Dad and Girls From Mom?

While many cultures believe boys are influenced by their fathers and girls by their mothers, science tells a different story.

Genetically, there’s no gender-based bias in inherited personality traits. A boy can inherit traits from his mother just as easily as from his father, and vice versa.

What truly matters is the quality of the relationship.

A daughter may find emotional guidance from her father, while a son may mirror his mother’s nurturing communication style.

Some traits are passed not through direct genes, but via “gene activation”—indirect influences. For instance, well-educated or ambitious parents might not pass on “intelligence genes” directly, but their way of thinking, lifestyle, and home atmosphere can spark similar traits in the child through observation and imitation.

Parental Influence on a Child’s Development

Parents shouldn’t stop at identifying their child’s genetic traits. They must also provide an environment that fosters balance, growth, and confidence.

Genetics may set the frame, but the environment paints the picture.

Failing to acknowledge the role of environment can waste incredible potential. Children aren’t carbon copies of their parents—they’re unique individuals shaped by nurture as much as nature.

Understanding the gene–environment dynamic gives parents better tools to raise their children consciously, avoiding stereotypes and ensuring that no talent or strength goes undeveloped.

Successful parenting isn't just about discipline or academics—it's about creating an emotionally and intellectually enriching home that encourages curiosity, creativity, and growth in every direction.