upbringing
UP-bring-ing
/ˈʌpˌbrɪŋ.ɪŋ/
The treatment and instruction received by a child from its parents throughout its childhood.
Focuses on the environment and values instilled during youth.
The story behind the word. A literal translation of the idea of 'raising' a child—taking them from a small, low state and 'bringing them up' to adulthood.
Word relationships
- nurture: Nurture is the general process of caring; upbringing is the specific period of childhood development.
Commonly confused with
- parenting: Parenting is what the parents do; upbringing is what the child experiences.
Word family
- bring up (verb phrase): To raise a child.
Collocations
- strict upbringing
- religious upbringing
- sheltered upbringing
Example sentences
- "His strict upbringing taught him the value of hard work and discipline." Personal interview.
- "Differences in upbringing can lead to very different worldviews in adulthood." Social commentary.
Memory hook
You are 'brought up' from a child to an adult. Bringing a child up to maturity.
When not to use
Don't use it for education received in school; that is 'schooling' or 'education'.
Fun facts
- The 'nature vs. nurture' debate is essentially a debate about genetics vs. upbringing.
Explore more words
socialization, educate, nurture, mentorship, bring up, hereditary
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