#5: Research Paper -- topic

     In my family, I have been severely affected by my parents' hobbies. My mother played piano throughout her childhood, so when I was younger she made sure that I did the same. I have grown up with the piano, and still play it today. Because the piano was such a large part of my mother's life, she insured that it was a part of mine. My father and his siblings were all a part of the swim team. After discovering a hatred of running, and the lack of coordination I was blessed with, I resorted to swim team as my sport. I never would have joined a swim team if my father hadn't been involved in it during his childhood. He supported me through my seasons and gave me tips and suggestions to improve my stroke. The experiences my parents had in their youth shaped the childhood that I had. However, none of my siblings were affected in the same way as I was. My sisters all took piano lessons for a time, but they all quit and it was never a major focus of their life. None of my siblings have any interest in swim team: Natalie doesn't enjoy sports, Kaylee is a cheerleader, Mallory plays volleyball, and Zach plays soccer. So why am I the product of my parents' childhood, while my siblings are not? Does birth order affect the amount of influence parents have on their children? What makes a parent's hobbies often seep into the lives of their children?