Questions about the reasons for birth and parental choice have a fundamental impact on the formation of one’s self-determination and the perception of the meaning of life.

Parental Influence: Shaping Identity and the Pursuit of Life's Meaning

Questions about the reasons for birth and parental choice have a fundamental impact on the formation of one’s self-determination and the perception of the meaning of life. From an early age, a child turns to parents in search of a guiding direction. As stated in one of the sources,

"Initially, the child turns to the parents to determine the right direction. Whether he finds what he is looking for in his parents depends on two things. First, whether the parents themselves possess it. Second, whether the child can identify with his parents" (source: link txt).

This statement emphasizes that parental choice and the values transmitted serve as the foundation for the formation of one’s identity. Parents set the first examples of life’s principles and moral guidelines, which the child internalizes as an inner compass for understanding the meaning of life.

Equally important is the emotional response emanating from the parents. One recollection tells of how a father expressed concern that his child might lose the integration of his soul:

"The second hint at the necessity and significance of the meaning of life I received came from a few words from my father. I once returned home after a flying vacation; my father met me with an expression of anxiety. … 'No,' he replied softly, calmly, firmly, with great love yet mercilessly, 'it wouldn’t be as important; I was afraid that you might lose the integration of your soul.'" (source: link txt, page: 3)

This emotional care from the parents shows the role their choices play in nurturing not only external qualities but also the inner unity of the individual. Parental expectations and values lay the foundation for future self-determination, influencing the quest for harmony between personal feelings and social requirements.

Thus, questions about the reasons for birth and parental choice form the initial life settings of a person, defining their moral self-determination, which in turn influences the process of identity formation and the search for life’s meaning. These processes are closely interconnected with how a person integrates life experiences and finds their place in the world.

Supporting citation(s):
"Initially, the child turns to the parents to determine the right direction. Whether he finds what he is looking for in his parents depends on two things. First, whether the parents themselves possess it. Second, whether the child can identify with his parents" (source: link txt)

"The second hint at the necessity and significance of the meaning of life I received came from a few words from my father. … I was afraid that you might lose the integration of your soul." (source: link txt, page: 3)