Nature Versus Nurture

There is an ongoing debate about the effects of nature-versus-nurture, and no one can provide a definitive answer as to which is of greater importance in the life of a person, specifically a child. In this novel, the question arises because two women, who are sisters-in-law and best friends, agree to trade babies on the day of their birth.

The households are very different. Abe and Helen have a healthy marriage with open communication and an obvious commitment to each other and to their children. Both are devoted to their children and seek to have meaningful relationships with each of their four sons, and then with Natalie. Mort and Rose have only daughters before Teddy's arrival in their home. Mort hates the fact that he does not have a son and he openly blames Rose. He has little interest in any of the children...