Kristine Severo
Reading Reflection #9
Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior
In this excerpt from her book "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother", Amy Chua describes why her Chinese parenting style is superior to those of the Westerners. Chua explains that Chinese parents are always persistent and will not settle for less because they know their children can succeed.
However, what it means to be successful is different for every parent and child. I disagree with Chua's parenting style because it is subjective. She ultimately says that a children's success is solely dependent on the parenting style of a parent, which is not true. I know several people who did not grow up in a household similar to the Tiger Mom's and are still successful, independent people. I feel that Chua is wrong when she doesn't believe that not all children are the same. I believe that no matter the parenting style one decides to use, whether or not a child grows up to be successful depends on his/her character. The secret to success is different for every child, no matter the approach taken.
Although Tiger Mom's technique has proven to be successful within her own family, other children might not accept or understand the approach, since not all children are thick-skinned. I know if I were to grow up in a household where my mother called me garbage, I would feel mentally and emotionally hurt. Whether this is tough love or not, it is still not right for children to receive this kind of "abuse" because not all children are as strong-willed as Chua makes them out to be. This kind of "love" is not a healthy love. To deny your child of getting water or using the restroom because he/she cannot get the piano part down is not ethical. A child should be able to grow up in a household where he/she can be a child and not some artificial robot based on a parent's own idea of what success is.
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