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Summary
The claim that 70% of a child's intelligence comes from the mother is a myth. Intelligence is influenced by both parents' genetics and environmental factors.
Summary:
A user on X ( Formerly Twitter) made a claim that biology says 70% of a child’s brain comes from the mother. The claim was further used to degrade women by urging men to question their partner’s intelligence. However, NFM’s research and correspondence with experts reveals that the idea that 70% of children’s intelligence comes from their mothers is a myth. Intelligence is influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Claim
On March 20, 2025, Yabaleftonline posted a graphic on X ( formerly Twitter) stating that biology says 70% of a child’s brain comes from the mother. Many times claims such as this are made to degrade women, specifically by targeting heterosexual men to question their partner’s intelligence. This is evident in the post, as the graphic also reads, “Look at your girlfriends. Are your kids safe?” The tweet currently has 1 million views, 504 comments, 1.4k reposts, and 17k likes.
NFM Checks
Following the Yabaleftonline post, NFM consulted a medical expert, Dr Uchechi Okafor, who told us that not all children take their mother’s intelligence. There are cases where they take the intelligence of their father. She said such statements are fallacies that do not contain verified evidence.
According to a Print publication by French Psychologist Alfred Binet, the concept of “intelligence” is complex and multi-faceted and cannot be reduced to a single percentage or factor. Multiple genetic and environmental factors influence intelligence. While there is evidence that mothers play a significant role in shaping their children’s cognitive abilities, no specific study supports the claim that 70% of children’s brains come from the mother.
Additionally, the development of specific brain structures, such as the corticolimbic system governing emotion, may be more influenced by maternal inheritance, but this does not account for overall brain development. Therefore, attributing a specific percentage of brain development solely to maternal genetics is an oversimplification and not supported by current scientific evidence.
What other fact-check states
Research published in a study debunking the idea that a kid’s intelligence comes mostly from mom by KQED shows that beyond genetics, the environment provided by parents, including educational opportunities, socio-economic status, and emotional support, plays a crucial role in a child’s intellectual development.
Additionally, research by CBS News reveals that intelligence-related genes are located on the X chromosome. Since women have two X chromosomes while men have one, children are more likely to inherit these genes from their mothers. However, intelligence is not dependent on the mother.
According to research by Mentes Abiortas, studies indicate that genes related to intelligence are located on the X chromosome, which children inherit from their mothers. However, attributing a specific percentage of intelligence to maternal inheritance is not scientifically validated.
Social media users reactions
The claim by Yabaleftonline has generated various reactions online, with many X users disagreeing with him.
“The idea that 70% comes from the mother is nuanced! Certain brain-related factors might be influenced by the mother, such as Mitochondria DNA, which plays a role in the energy production of brain cells,” Nowhere2Hid argued.
“Right,” Dr Muyiwa said, agreeing with the tweet.“No, it’s not true that 70% of a child’s brain, or intelligence, comes from the mother.
Intelligence is a complex trait influenced by genetics and environmental factors, with contributions from both parents, not solely the mother,” Caring_da counter explained.
Conclusion
The claim that 70% of a child’s brain comes from the mother is not scientifically proven. While maternal genetics contribute to a child’s intelligence, they do not solely determine it. Parents’ genetics and environmental factors play significant roles in a child’s cognitive development.
Naija Feminists Media is committed to fighting gendered disinformation and misinformation that concerns women.
