nic. This theory poses important debates however. If schizophrenia is caused by simple genetics, identical twins should both be affected by schizophrenia if one twin has been diagnosed. It is rare to find a majority of identical twins affected. Studies have found there to be a weak genetic link to schizophrenia. A recent study of high-risk children found there to be little proof of a genetic link. The contrast between offspring of ill parents and offspring of normal parents was significant only for gross motor skills, but the direct affect of an ill parent on development of schizophrenia-related psychoses was not significant, which indicated a weak genetic model. (Erlenmeyer-Kimling, 28) Erlenmeyer-Kimling also noted that environment and early developmental damage could play a role in the onset on schizophrenia. This disease may have a series of triggers that could bring on the onset of the disease. These triggers could include complications during pregnancy and/or labor, prenatal exposure to a virus (especially in the fifth month when brain development occurs), and stress throughout the stages of life. (Dincin 103)Because of the complexity of the disease, many myths surround schizophrenia. One of these myths is poor parenting causes schizophrenia. Sigmund Freud and psychiatrists since him have regarded the family as the key in the development of personality. Traits of dysfunctional families are labeled "contradictory expectations" and "covert rejection". The problem with solely blaming the family for the onset of schizophrenia is these studies often lack controls. Until the late 1970s, mothers were still blamed for the onset of schizophrenia in their child. "No good evidence supports the theory that family environment causes schizophrenia and very strong evidence supports biological factors as the cause" ( Dincin 105 ). Some people believe that schizophrenics are mentally retarded, but the two conditions are entirely d...
