Wes Moore: Part IV

 Are we really products of our environment?

    I've come to the realization that we can all be environmental products after reading the book. If you're in a challenging setting, you may go into survival mode and make difficult choices in order to survive. For instance, if you were raised in a gang environment, you will likely join one, or you may wind up trafficking drugs to make ends meet, etc. It doesn't happen all the time, but it does happen when you come from a poor household. Wes grew up in the narrative and lived in an undesirable area. Wes aspired to be just like his elder brother Toney, who was a drug dealer. As a result, he became a lookout for a drug dealer and eventually began selling narcotics himself out of envy for his older brother. He looked up to his brother Tony, who unknowingly had an impact on him. Wes was raised by a single mother, and his father chose not to be involved in his life, which had an impact on who he became. I've seen that role models play a significant influence in shaping an individual to the pathways they take in their lifetime. Wes's father, mother, and father failed to provide him with the proper assistance throughout crucial points in his life and failed to prevent him from making mistakes that put him in jail. According to the story, Wes's girlfriend Alicia got pregnant, and he had to find a method to support his growing family. In his despair, he turned to selling narcotics. Wes grew up in a setting where selling drugs was common and drug consumption was an issue. His decisions that he made in his life based off our surroundings. Although both men grew up in the same environment, Wes wasn’t successful because he did not want to change his ways and get rid of bad company. Although I believe that we are products of our environment, I also believe we have a choice. For example, the other Wes lived and grew up in the same environment but had advantages, he had an educational background and people around him that supported him. His life's choices were influenced by the environment. Both guys grew up in the same atmosphere, but Wes failed because he was unwilling to make changes and cut out unsavory acquaintances. Even though I think we are products of our environment, I also think we have a choice. For instance, the other Wes grew up and lived in the same setting, but he had advantages like his academic background and family who encouraged him. Due to his decisions, the other Wes in particular became a victim of his surroundings. Wes would have had a better future if he had been sincere in his desire to change for the better. He would have achieved success like Wes had he not been in prison.