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by aok1425 1958 days ago
I have the theory that if parents push an interest too hard, the kid will actually dislike that interest. So hopefully you can strike that balance / get lucky.
4 comments

In general observation, the kids are going to like what they're going to like.

While nature has its role, and both of our kids are skilled in math, and comfortable with the geek nature of puzzling over that which is unknown and becoming skilled at it, neither of them are into programming computers, despite both their parents having the background.

Instead, one's a visual artist. The other's a theater geek.

I opened the door to introducing them to programming, but with a light touch, as I knew a hard sell would make them hate it. They weren't interested, though I think one is starting to dabble with MineCraft mods. Fortunately, I half expected it, and they're good at what they like to do, so that will hopefully be a source of contentment for them in the future.

I should test the theory by forcing my kid to play Roblox! /sob
And Among Us...
I think it depends (similar to other comments):

Either, you are engaging the kid's own personal interest in the thing, which has the potential to grow independently of you as a parent,

or, you can demonstrate your personal interest, at a stage while they are particularly fascinated with you - this, they will grow out of.

A great deal of that probably comes down to how much you respect/like your parent. I think both my sister and myself resemble our dad far more than our mom, and our mom definitely demonstrated her personal interest onto us. My dad in comparison, while not really engaging with our interests, certainly didn't actively try to get in their way like my mom did.
tiger woods seems to have done pretty well. He is not an exception though.
Also compare https://slatestarcodex.com/Stuff/genius.pdf (by László Polgár, whose three daughters are an International Master, a Grandmaster, and the strongest female chess player in history).

László Polgár has encountered lots of controversy about his view of child-rearing. My understanding is that his daughters have tended to express support for their childhood experiences.