Section 3
Week 9
After reading Amy Chua's article "Why Chinese Mothers are Superior", I am frustrated yet not at all surprised. Chua not only defends Asian parenting styles, but aggressively takes down Western parenting styles in the process. Though she attempts to make the distinction that there are many different "Western" parenting styles, it is clear throughout the article that she is trying to generalize and separate "Chinese" (Asian) parenting styles and Western parenting styles. She offers no middle ground in her arguments and makes assumptions, particularly about the state of Asian kids. She claims that Asian parenting produces better results because they do not care for the child's self esteem, while Western kids' self esteem takes a hit despite parental sensitivity. She does not consider the mental strain that Asian parenting takes on Asian kids, often leading to worse anxiety than if the parents had been less condescending. If Chinese moms are truly superior, then why do Asian children commit suicide en masse in places like Palo Alto? Why do Asian children still suffer?
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