observations

As children grow and are entrusted to the adults in their lives, lessons are learned. The words get imprinted on the slate and people begin to take shape all the while developing into the adults that they become.
At best, children have hardworking, committed, responsible parents and others in their lives trying to do right by them.  They live within the social norms, passing on their values, practicing what they preach and teaching indelible lessons. Children observe, learn, try, fail, succeed, practice and master.
At worst, children are born into families who neglect, abuse, harm, and damage.  These children have social and cultural norms as well, albeit vastly skewed from those mentioned above.
ALL children have slates on which messages are written.