There's been a lot of controversy around Yale law professor Amy Chau's memoir,Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother.In this book,Chau explains her strict way of parenting , why Chinese parents are far superior to Westerners , and how they can make their children into piano prodigies,ect.
She makes her 2 daughters play the violin and piano continuesly for hours without breaks for water , or even the bathroom , does not allow them to have sleepovers/playdates , ect.I myself am half Chinese(other half : Taiwanese),and I myself am not treated under these strict parenting "techniques".What do you think of this ?
*Information from TIME magazine,and various news stations.
There is also a book/essay about a Chinese girl who has a Chinese mother who tries excessively to try and "be someone". She forces her to be a strong piano player, such as that book you provided. Well ya know what? She didn't get good enough to even be noticed. But the Chinese mother kept pushing her. Eventually the girl was fed up with it and just quit altogether. In the future, she was given a very promising job. She had a strong heart with good leadership, but had the unique trait of leniency that her mother never showered her with.
I can't even begin to try to debate this without fear of ranting. The law professor is highly biased and her mind is drowned with the American stereotype. She must think it true apparently!
The problem with wearing a leash is that it might turn into a noose. Like Freakenstein said, she appears to be biased against the American-Stereotype. Can't really say too much, though It'd be nice to know how good her daughters are with their instruments. If their good, then may be her strictness works. If not, well...
I heard of that, about this severe education thanks to which they form their genius kids. It may actually work very fine; with one major flaw: as soon as the kids grow up, leave the house and lead their own lifes, it all breaks down. As soon as there's no one left to push them like their mother, there goes the genius...
Personally I believe there is no best way to raise children.
Anyhow, I read a couple of pages of this book and frankly it appears to me like -yet- an other Master Race theory. Chinese-ness guides you to success. All other ways lead to failure.
The irony is that Mrs. Chua is rather unconnected from the Chinese culture. In my opinion she looks at China and at her "Chinese" identity through the tinted glasses of someone who has never totally apprehended it.
Personally, I think it's crazy. However, nothing new to be honest. I know a guy who wasn't allowed to get anything less then 'A'. If he received all 'A' grades except for one 'B', he'd be grounded/punished etc.
To Western parents, this is insane. To Eastern parents, this is normal. To Westerns, Eastern parents are too strict. To Eastern, Westerns are too forgiving.
To Western parents, this is insane. To Eastern parents, this is normal. To Westerns, Eastern parents are too strict. To Eastern, Westerns are too forgiving.
I think there is a limit to how much you could make a child do before it becomes tourture. Those children live in FEAR! How would you like to have your parent always making yu do stuff you don't want to do for hours?
I think there is a limit to how much you could make a child do before it becomes tourture. Those children live in FEAR! How would you like to have your parent always making yu do stuff you don't want to do for hours?
Torture results from a person forcing discomfort and then tempting them with the release of the discomfort (my own definition). Thus, according to my definition, this is torture.
Are you a relativist? Just wondering... There is one truth...
^No, not really.
That one truth can also be a lie.
It all depends on how you were raised and where you grew up. Thing is, out there, in China, this is normal. This is life. If all of us were there, we'd be saying the opposite.
It all depends on how you were raised and where you grew up. Thing is, out there, in China, this is normal. This is life. If all of us were there, we'd be saying the opposite.
