Does becoming a parent changes the gambler?

[BlockEye]

Everyone has free will even though the parents of the child are gambler even tho his ancestors is the same too, He has a chance to become or not a gambler when he grows up. But the parenting gives a lot of impact on the decision of the child on what path he will follow. For example, Like Jack Ma, His parents are not wealthy and he didn't come from a prominent family but still, he chooses the path of changing the way of his living and exert a lot of efforts to become successful.

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[diegz]

"cats in the cradle" song? The boy grows just like his dad.  

Any, genes and environment are two factors that could affect a child's thinking. Now, if the father is a gambler, probably his son would also become a gambler, maybe when he himself doesn't stop it and show it to his kid, in that way, both are present, it's in his gene and at the same time it was enhanced by his environment( growing along with his gambler father ) Probably it would change if he would stop it now, just like his text message to you, or his wife would separate from him and the child would grow in an environment away from gambling.

[el kaka22]

Gambling is not hereditary, so you have nothing to worry about it. Its a matter of choice better to stop it now before your child comes out into this world and saw you being addicted on gambling. Parents must be the first teacher of their children. Either you bring them to casinos or to a good school, btw congrats to your friend.

A smart kid who ends up seeing is dad even addicted to gambling and how it ruined him will obviously learn a lot of lessons from it and see it as a plague. Some fathers can be very careless though into doing some things with their kids which they should not, but I am not sure if any sane father can actually introduce the child to gambling, knowing the implications at the end of the day. Gambling is absolutely not genetic; it is just a matter of choice for everyone.

This must be a very interesting discussion I definitely say. First, there is not genetic about gambling. My grandfather was a hardcore gambler who ended up ruining his life to gambling before he eventually died with nothing to show for his time in life, as rich as he was but my Dad apparently did not take in his footsteps.

It is always a choice and some times, the child can actually decide to take the other path unless he just finds it amusing as well. However, there is always this saying that a child always learn from his parents, so you may probably get a child that will learn from you.

[noormcs5]

"cats in the cradle" song? The boy grows just like his dad.  

Any, genes and environment are two factors that could affect a child's thinking. Now, if the father is a gambler, probably his son would also become a gambler, maybe when he himself doesn't stop it and show it to his kid, in that way, both are present, it's in his gene and at the same time it was enhanced by his environment( growing along with his gambler father ) Probably it would change if he would stop it now, just like his text message to you, or his wife would separate from him and the child would grow in an environment away from gambling.

I do agree with you, especially boys grow just like their dad.   
it is generic we get some habits from our bad, even a boy saw his dad to do it or not but when boy young he is same like his dad. Also usually i see when a boy kid saw his dad he is gambler then automatically when he will young he will be a gambler, it is true story. I realize generic gamblers have sadness stories in their families.

[TrumpD]

This was the discussion topic we were having last night, a bunch of gambling friends and one of them an expecting dad. There were counter arguments that his child also would turn out a gambler like he is.

The arguments were that it is his in his gene and that'll pass on to his child, since every one in his family was a gambler.

The counter argument was that the child would make a logical decision and genes won't play any part in this.

Which brought us to another important question what if turns out a gambler would they both play together. Would he be comfortable?

Amid this he walked out and texted me he didn't wish to gamble anymore, so wanted your views on this.

I would depend how deep into gambling your friend is. There is a scientific theory called "epigenetics". Which in simple terms means experiences (mostly strong and or elongated/repeated ones), can modify existing genes to create new ones. So in a nutshell if your friend is a chronic gambling and is very into it, based on this theory it is possible that such genes can be passed down to his child. You can do more research on "epigenetics".

[Betwrong]

This was the discussion topic we were having last night, a bunch of gambling friends and one of them an expecting dad. There were counter arguments that his child also would turn out a gambler like he is.

The arguments were that it is his in his gene and that'll pass on to his child, since every one in his family was a gambler.

The counter argument was that the child would make a logical decision and genes won't play any part in this.

Which brought us to another important question what if turns out a gambler would they both play together. Would he be comfortable?

Amid this he walked out and texted me he didn't wish to gamble anymore, so wanted your views on this.

First of I want say that I agree with those who said that inclination to gambling can't be inherent. Secondly, kids when they grow up tend to behave in contradiction to what their parents do. For example if parents smoke their kids don't smoke and vice versa. I know there are other opinions on this, but that's what I know from my experience. From what you have written I have an impression that your friends were joking mostly and also that none of you is actually an addicted gambler. And that's a good thing. Keep it healthy, guys. Gambling can be fun if you don't let it ruin your life.

In many cases children don't follow parents patterns when they see it in a negative way, in a traumatic way. For an example: If the child has negative memories about the parents drunken, he will probably stay away from alcohol. The same can happen about gambling, but if there aren't negative memories about parents + gambling, there are higher chances this child will gamble too.

But we can't predict it, the child may gamble or may not gamble, it's a surprise and everything parents can do is to be prepared to deal with this situation better as possible if it happens.

The worst thing parents can do for their kids is telling them to stay away from gambling because it's a known fact that the forbidden fruit tastes the sweetest. It is much better imo to let them play in the early age, to let them lose $10 and then to explain them that gambling is about losing your money. Thus after losing $10 while in their childhood they will be protected from losing thousands of USD, years later when they become adults.

[gabmen]

This was the discussion topic we were having last night, a bunch of gambling friends and one of them an expecting dad. There were counter arguments that his child also would turn out a gambler like he is.

The arguments were that it is his in his gene and that'll pass on to his child, since every one in his family was a gambler.

The counter argument was that the child would make a logical decision and genes won't play any part in this.

Which brought us to another important question what if turns out a gambler would they both play together. Would he be comfortable?

Amid this he walked out and texted me he didn't wish to gamble anymore, so wanted your views on this.

First of I want say that I agree with those who said that inclination to gambling can't be inherent. Secondly, kids when they grow up tend to behave in contradiction to what their parents do. For example if parents smoke their kids don't smoke and vice versa. I know there are other opinions on this, but that's what I know from my experience. From what you have written I have an impression that your friends were joking mostly and also that none of you is actually an addicted gambler. And that's a good thing. Keep it healthy, guys. Gambling can be fun if you don't let it ruin your life.

In many cases children don't follow parents patterns when they see it in a negative way, in a traumatic way. For an example: If the child has negative memories about the parents drunken, he will probably stay away from alcohol. The same can happen about gambling, but if there aren't negative memories about parents + gambling, there are higher chances this child will gamble too.

But we can't predict it, the child may gamble or may not gamble, it's a surprise and everything parents can do is to be prepared to deal with this situation better as possible if it happens.

The worst thing parents can do for their kids is telling them to stay away from gambling because it's a known fact that the forbidden fruit tastes the sweetest. It is much better imo to let them play in the early age, to let them lose $10 and then to explain them that gambling is about losing your money. Thus after losing $10 while in their childhood they will be protected from losing thousands of USD, years later when they become adults.

Well i don't think it's a good idea to expose your children to gambling espexially that they're not earning  their own money. They still don't know the importance of proper spending and if they see it as a game to enjoy, you probably would risk having your kids ask for money for gambling. There are a whole lot of alternatives you can you teach your kids you know

[Qartersa]

I would say the subject question in relation to the discussion you initially posted is not at par with each other. But then assuming we are on the same frequency, I would say that your personal views on gambling will change if you have earlier thought of it as a stable source of income to meet your necessaries. Other than that, I do not see any other reason that is logical enough to change your view just because you are a father already save for some instances when you think you can influence your child unknowingly or unconsciously because your child is exposed to it at a tender age. Hence, I would say it would depend on the circumstances you are in. Nevertheless, you have to remember to teach by example and you can never go wrong. Just to add to my sentiments, I do not think gambling is something genetic. It is more of environmental on my perspective.  

[anavir]

as what i have obsevered no one can change a gambler except himself...as their is a saying that one's a gambler always a gambler... you can count on your finger for those gambler who changes himself for the better when they become parents.

[TheUltraElite]

as what i have obsevered no one can change a gambler except himself...as their is a saying that one's a gambler always a gambler... you can count on your finger for those gambler who changes himself for the better when they become parents.

Only the person who is doing something can change what they are doing. Nobody can force them to change their habits and if gambling is one of their bad habits then all others/third-parties can do is to motivate them not to gamble and to stay away from gambling.

However becoming a parent is associated with a lot of new responsibilities for the person and eventually it may happen that they are close to their family and being a responsible parent they start to avoid gambling - which is actually good.

[eternalgloom]

I see a lot of people commenting here that addiction to gambling is not hereditary, but the reality is that we're still not completely sure about that.
It's very much possible that some part of addiction is caused by genetic factors as well as environmental factors.

Source: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/genes/

So, I really wouldn't say that it's 100% certain that genetic makeup doesn't play a factor.

[detector]

..., I do not think gambling is something genetic. It is more of environmental on my perspective.  

Yes it's true , environment play the main role for building people's habit but there are some factor that also affect on people's habit :

Social & Economy
Maybe some people struggling enough and want to change their fate by gambling

Learning
People just want to learn and once they good at it, they will keep gambling

Skill
Some people have their skill to gamble , it's just like their nature

[serjent05]

as what i have obsevered no one can change a gambler except himself...as their is a saying that one's a gambler always a gambler... you can count on your finger for those gambler who changes himself for the better when they become parents.

Only the person who is doing something can change what they are doing. Nobody can force them to change their habits and if gambling is one of their bad habits then all others/third-parties can do is to motivate them not to gamble and to stay away from gambling.

However becoming a parent is associated with a lot of new responsibilities for the person and eventually it may happen that they are close to their family and being a responsible parent they start to avoid gambling - which is actually good.

Well avoiding gambling when a person become a parent is really good.  This means the person realized that he has a responsibility to their children and that they prioritized their family's welfare than the leisure brought by playing gambling games.  This simply shows that the person if found out that his financial income will not support his gambling habit and decided to stop, loves his family more than himself.

[FlightyPouch]

The arguments were that it is his in his gene and that'll pass on to his child, since every one in his family was a gambler.

As far as I know, not all of the child will be inheriting the addicted activities of the certain parents. But why some of the child grew up doing the same thing as their parents? Because they are seeing it to their parents.

For example, a parent is a smoker and usually smokes every hour. Then, the kid will always be told to buy his/her parent a pack of cigarette every day. The tendency of that kid to smoke is high since the kid will be growing up used to buy a pack of cigarette everyday.

If you are a responsible parent, you will be a good model to your children so stop the activities that you are doing to avoid your children growing and doing the same thing that will harm and cast your children into something that you will not like.

[Shikaina]

This was the discussion topic we were having last night, a bunch of gambling friends and one of them an expecting dad. There were counter arguments that his child also would turn out a gambler like he is.

The arguments were that it is his in his gene and that'll pass on to his child, since every one in his family was a gambler.

The counter argument was that the child would make a logical decision and genes won't play any part in this.

Which brought us to another important question what if turns out a gambler would they both play together. Would he be comfortable?

Amid this he walked out and texted me he didn't wish to gamble anymore, so wanted your views on this.

I dont believe it is about genes that children inherit. It is a habit that children see from their parents from an early stage of their lives that cause them also to try and get addicted and when they become parents so they will also pass the same habit to their children. No genes in there, everything is a choce, a decision.

[Shinpako09]

Not really, once a gambler, always a gambler no matter what changes happen in his life not unless he already quitted for good and for the sake of his family. If the kid also became a gambler, I don't think it's because of genes, it's because they wanted too.  Simply because gambling is so addictive and thinking that they could win a large amount once they play plus they are seeing their parents playing as well, they also think that it's fine.

[milewilda]

I see a lot of people commenting here that addiction to gambling is not hereditary, but the reality is that we're still not completely sure about that.
It's very much possible that some part of addiction is caused by genetic factors as well as environmental factors.

Source: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/genes/

So, I really wouldn't say that it's 100% certain that genetic makeup doesn't play a factor.

Reading up on the link.Thing put on my mind that it can really be inherited based into those research.
Having the image below shows on the possible pass-on towards family members basing on how big they are.

[yanlap]

Everyone has free will even though the parents of the child are gambler even tho his ancestors is the same too, He has a chance to become or not a gambler when he grows up. But the parenting gives a lot of impact on the decision of the child on what path he will follow. For example, Like Jack Ma, His parents are not wealthy and he didn't come from a prominent family but still, he chooses the path of changing the way of his living and exert a lot of efforts to become successful.

Well this really don’t matter whether your parents are gamblers or not? Or your fore father have been the most impressive gamblers of the time even then you are not bound to be a gambler. Until and unless you have right intentions to leave this game and earn from some respectable thing. This is your mind that can lead you to a better path where things are quite better for you than this gambling.

[harizen]

This was the discussion topic we were having last night, a bunch of gambling friends and one of them an expecting dad. There were counter arguments that his child also would turn out a gambler like he is.

The arguments were that it is his in his gene and that'll pass on to his child, since every one in his family was a gambler.

The counter argument was that the child would make a logical decision and genes won't play any part in this.

Which brought us to another important question what if turns out a gambler would they both play together. Would he be comfortable?

The future of that child will depend on the social environment that they will preferred as they growing up.

 If they are exposed on gambling activity, to the point that it will be on regular basis, then likely the child will turned into gambler someday only if they found it as a comfortable activity. But that is just a "chance" because obviously it will be based on that child's preferences on what things they really like to do.

If some of the gamblers are comfortable to that kind of setup? Well the answer here is obvious since no doubt there are family of gamblers even involving a kid.

[piloder]

Becoming a parent mean addition of lot more things in your responsibility, you need to take care of your child and have to start saving for your kid's future. So you can't keep gambling and waste money which in future can help your kid to get better education. Also child's mind is like clay and if he will be familiar with gambling from early days than in future he might also get involved in extensive gambling.

So its better to leave gambling if you are becoming a parent.