I think people are molded by two factors, family and the society that they are in. From birth, humans are influenced by the surrounding people for their characteristics. Parents take a big role in bringing up children, which affects their lives for a long time.
In early infant hood, babies are looking to moms and dads to learn basic manners to be accepted in society. Some of these manners include not running around in restaurant or hitting other kids. As they grow up, they learn more from parents about etiquette, which makes them more suitable to live in society. Children tend to look to their parents for role models knowingly or unknowingly.
Besides, parents can also affect children's study habits. Children of doctors, lawyers, investment, bankers, and other professionals see their mother and father work a lot of time, reading books, and punching keyboards, even at home. They are showing their children how to study by their own behavior.
However, parents can also be a bad example for their kids. It is difficult for children who have abusive parents when they grow up. In this sense, the parents' negative role in shaping the children's personality can't be emphasized more.
In conclusion, parents are the best teachers for their children. They leave big marks on their children's lives and are therefore more influential teachers than any others they may have in their lives.