Voong 1

Voong, Christine
Honors American Literature
Period 3
February 15, 2017
Non-Fiction Independent Reading Project
Beware the Tiger Mother, Amy Chua
In the book, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, the author Amy Chua argues that Chinese
parents are better at raising their child than Western parents. To demonstrate her point she
compares Chinese parenting with Western parenting by sharing her experience of how she raised
her two daughters using that method to build them into successful Chinese children. Chua
provides insight of the reasoning behind Chinese parenting and the difference in levels compared
to Western parenting. At the same time she shows its efficiency in disciplining and improving
her daughters academic skill and chance for a more successful future.
The significant issue presented in the book is the gap between different cultures, as her
two daughters are Chinese and Jewish, which is the main cause of conflict in the family, as
Amys husband is from a free-spirited family. To prevent her daughters from falling into the lei
sureness and rebellious trend of the third generation she strictly raises them using the Chinese
method. In chapter five Chua claims that the third generation who were born in the middle class
are living in a comfortable and luxury life- style. Being born in a wealthy home, the children in
the next generation is spoiled and tends to be disobedient, which is the reason this generation
being headed straight for decline (Chua, 22). Provided luxury without the back-breaking work
their parents and grandparents experienced, the third generation is unmotivated to perform well
for the sake of their family. As for those who have good morals are often motivated by their
parents, but the level of motivation and respect for both parties differs. In chapter five, Chua
explains how Westerner parents tend to be careful of their criticism to not crush their childs
confidence. If their child didnt perform as well on a test they would try comfort them and
shower them with light encouragements and supporting them. As for Chinese parents, they are
not afraid to pour any harsh criticisms because . . . the Chinese believe that the best way to
protect their children is by preparing them for the future, letting them see what theyre capable of
(Chua, 63). By criticizing them, their children are higher achieving and prepared for the future.
Chinese parents make sure their children obey every word they say. If they tell their child no
they expect their child to nod quietly. Amy Chua explained the reason Chinese children obey
their parents is because its their parents. For Chinese, the concept of Your parents are your
parents, you owe everything to them (even if you dont), and you have to do everything for
them, (Chua, 98) is a strong statement. Since parents provides everything for their, the least
their child can do is to obey them. They also know what is best for their child and will make
decisions for them for the sake of a successful future. In chapter fifteen Chua discusses how
Westerners believe childhood is a time for exploring and freedom. Chua (and many Chinese
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parents) sees it as a training period, a time to build character and invest for the future (Chua,
97). By starting at an early age, Chinese parents can construct their child to a greater level, which
is why Chua completely filled her daughters schedule with activities. In chapter 20 Chua
mentions, there is no rest for the Chinese mother, no time to recharge (Chua, 130). Chinese
parents spend a many of their time making sure that their child have been drilled to the core.
Amy Chua forces her daughters to practice their instruments for at least six hours. That was how
they were able to receive high achievements at a young age.
After losing to her younger daughter, Lulu, there was a turn of events. She allows her to
give up on practicing violin and make her own choices, but she keeps Lulu in check. Despite
being fully devoted in raising her daughters using the Chinese method, she now believes that
children should be drilled with the academics requirement and has fun electives as well. In an
interview she states, we are so good at making our kids drill and work hard and concentrate, but
we lack a little bit of that let you kids have some space and interaction with some other kids and
have some fun. Before the dispute she was very strict about freedom and policies. Some of her
rules were never: attend a sleepover, watch TV or play computer games, get any grade less than
an A, and not play the piano or violin. She states Chinese parents spend approximately ten times
as long everyday drilling academic activities with their children (Chua, 5). She now says that
the pressure of being drilled and having to concentrate at a high level can make education
miserable and unmotivated.
Amy Chua asserts that Chinese parenting methods are superior to Western parenting,
because it betters them for the future. The third generation is declining due to the lei sureness and
freedom they have. In her book she demonstrates the method and its results and compares the
cultural gap between Chinese and Western parenting by providing an anecdote of how she raises
her daughters. To prevent her daughters from falling into the comfort of being born into a
middle-class household she was extremely strict; at the same time she motivates and builds their
confidents, although things didnt go according to plan with her younger daughter. As many
critics the method to be strict and stressful, they need to understand the cultural differences.

Works Cited
Chua, Amy. Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. New York: Penguin, 2011. Print
Staff, CNBC.com. "'Tiger Mother' Amy Chua tells WSJ: I made my kids sign a tenancy
contract." CNBC. CNBC, 11 June 2016. Web. 15 Feb. 2017.
<http://www.cnbc.com/2016/06/11/tiger-mother-amy-chua-reveals-i-gave-my-daughters-a-
tenancy-contract.html>.
1. Are you parents strict?
2. What are some of the strictest actions they took?
3. Does your mom forces you to practice anything for six hours?
4. How do you parents show their love?
5. Would you like a tiger mother?

1. Are you parents strict?

2. What are some of the strictest actions they took?
3. Does your mom forces you to practice anything for six hours?
4. How do you parents show their love?
5. Would you like a tiger mother?

1. Are you parents strict?

2. What are some of the strictest actions they took?
3. Does your mom forces you to practice anything for six hours?
4. How do you parents show their love?
5. Would you like a tiger mother?

1. Are you parents strict?

2. What are some of the strictest actions they took?
3. Does your mom forces you to practice anything for six hours?
4. How do you parents show their love?
5. Would you like a tiger mother?

1. Are you parents strict?

2. What are some of the strictest actions they took?
3. Does your mom forces you to practice anything for six hours?
4. How do you parents show their love?
5. Would you like a tiger mother?

1. Are you parents strict?

2. What are some of the strictest actions they took?
3. Does your mom forces you to practice anything for six hours?
4. How do you parents show their love?
5. Would you like a tiger mother?

1. Are you parents strict?

2. What are some of the strictest actions they took?
3. Does your mom forces you to practice anything for six hours?
4. How do you parents show their love?
5. Would you like a tiger mother?
1. Are you parents strict?
2. What are some of the strictest actions they took?
3. Does your mom forces you to practice anything for six hours?
4. How do you parents show their love?
5. Would you like a tiger mother?

1. Are you parents strict?

2. What are some of the strictest actions they took?
3. Does your mom forces you to practice anything for six hours?
4. How do you parents show their love?
5. Would you like a tiger mother?

1. Are you parents strict?

2. What are some of the strictest actions they took?
3. Does your mom forces you to practice anything for six hours?
4. How do you parents show their love?
5. Would you like a tiger mother?

1. Are you parents strict?

2. What are some of the strictest actions they took?
3. Does your mom forces you to practice anything for six hours?
4. How do you parents show their love?
5. Would you like a tiger mother?

1. Are you parents strict?

2. What are some of the strictest actions they took?
3. Does your mom forces you to practice anything for six hours?
4. How do you parents show their love?
5. Would you like a tiger mother?

1. Are you parents strict?

2. What are some of the strictest actions they took?
3. Does your mom forces you to practice anything for six hours?
4. How do you parents show their love?
5. Would you like a tiger mother?

1. Are you parents strict?

2. What are some of the strictest actions they took?
3. Does your mom forces you to practice anything for six hours?
4. How do you parents show their love?
5. Would you like a tiger mother?