Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior

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Cecilie Skive KKB English, K6 October 8, 2014 Discussion Essay; ”Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior” Parenting is a frequent and hotly debated topic, not only in America, but all around the world. There are an infinite number of theories and opinions about the best and worst ways to raise children. Reviewing some rudimentary research shows that different cultures have some very different parenting models, and these models are not always embraced or viewed positively by other cultures; and of course, within any one culture, even individual families implement their own variations of those parenting models that best fit their own style and family values and lifestyles. Amy Chua’s article “Why Chinese Mothers are Superior” took a very aggressive position that the ‘Chinese parenting model’ is more effective than any other model, including and especially the ‘Western parenting model.’ Throughout the article, she praises the Chinese model and Chinese parents, while denouncing the ‘western’ model and western parents. Amy Chua concludes that the Chinese model is superior to any other parenting model, and is most likely to result in raising highly successful children. The article created a firestorm in the United States, resulting in hundreds of articles written in response by people ranging from ‘parenting experts’ to western, and Chinese parents from across the United States and the world. Throughout Amy Chua’s article, she makes numerous strong claims, that the Chinese parenting model is the most effective. Although she cites both statistical and personal evidence to back up her claims, she conveniently omits and ignores other statistical studies and personal evidence from both western and Chinese parents that refute her claims and also provide insights into some of the negative aspects associated with the ‘Chinese’ model. Amy Chua, a Chinese
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