Jolie: I’m closest to adopted Maddox
ANGELINA JOLIE believes a child’s personality is already defined at birth – remaining unaltered by the circumstances of their upbringing – and says she has more in common with her adopted son Maddox than her own genetic children.
The actress and mother of six said motherhood had taught her that children are ‘who they are when they are born’ and in the absence of a serious trauma will grow up to be their own person.
Jolie, 38, who is engaged to Brad Pitt, said: ‘I think children are exactly who they are when they’re born. And if there is a trauma, it can drastically change who they are.
‘If you look at baby photos of our kids, the way they were, the way they looked, what their energy was – whether they were a sweet, elegant, private little person, or a funny, open person, or a bold person – they’re still the same.
‘There’s so much they are born with. And we believe you just have to encourage the individual and support them, but don’t get in their way too much.’
Three of Jolie’s children are adopted and she said she was surprised she had more in common with adopted son Maddox than her own genetic children.
‘You’d think you’d be more similar to the children you have a genetic link with, but I’m not. Maybe one of them, but then I’m very similar to Maddox. So it doesn’t have an impact that some are genetically connected.’
She added: ‘We’re hoping the kids don’t become actors. We want them to do what they’re interested in, but we’re showing them so many other ideas they won’t want to act.’