Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior by Amy Chua
Amy
Chua, the author of the essay "Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior,"
explains that Chinese children are more successful in life than Western
children because they are smarter and more intellectual. Chua immigrated to the
United States with her parents when she was a year old, but Chinese parents
think differently and believe that academic success reflects successful
parenting; in the Chinese mother's dictionary, there is no word for giving up,
whereas Western parents do not want to put pressure and force their children to
achieve. She also compares the various methods of raising children through
short stories and provides examples from her own life.
The
only difference between Chinese parents and Western parents, according to Chua,
is that Chinese parents can tell their children anything without worrying about
how they will react. If the same thing happens to any Western children, on the
other hand, the reaction will be the opposite, and they will end up developing
a negative self-image. Chua cites her husband, Jed, who says, "Children don't
choose their parents," in an attempt to convince her that parents want
children for the rest of their lives and that they are the reason for their
existence. He is trying to convince her that parents want children for the life
of the family and that they are the reason for their children obey and repay
them. She was astounded and audacious by his husband's response. She shares a
short story in her article about her youngest daughter, Lulu, who prefers the
Chinese way of raising children. Chua threatens her and tells her she has to do
it anyhow and she is not going to give her any food, water, or permission to
use the restroom until she finishes the pie. Chinese parents want to train
their children differently and believe that if children are unable to achieve
their goals, it is due to a lack of practice and effort. Even Jed acknowledges
that she gives Lulu much more by persevering that way.
In
conclusion, the author asserts that while Chinese parents believe they have a
good sense of choosing the right direction for their children; they prepare and
assist them in developing their self-confidence for the future, ensuring that
they become more successful and that no one can take away the confidence and
success from their children's lives.