Essay on Immigration Success

Submitted By eevee2013
Words: 877
Pages: 4

The Chinese Success Why are Asian children the smartest in school? It is because of their mothers. The stereotypical Asian mother wants the best for her children. She wants them to have the best grades and to be the best in everything. Well, that is not a stereotypic. This is true. In Amy Chua’s article “Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior,” she describes what she does to make sure that her children keep on top and be the best at everything they do. Many people believe that her parenting method is harsh but I do not. Her methods of self-esteem, believing that their children owe them everything, and knowing what is best for their children creates a better, more educated student. Western parents care about what their children feel after a scolding or argument. “They worry about how their children will feel if they fail at something, and they constantly try to reassure their children about how good they are notwithstanding a mediocre performance on a test or at a recital” (Chua). A Chinese parent will not do that. On tests, if the child received anything lower than an A, there was something wrong. In the Chinese household, “there would be a screaming, hair-tearing explosion” (Chua). Even though this is a bad experience for the child, this specific parenting method is effective and valid. The child learns not to give up if he or she cannot accomplish something. They will not accept failure in any way and in the working world; they will finish a project to the end with working results. Western parents do not believe that their children owe them anything in return for life. Chinese parents think that is incorrect. “Chinese parents believe that their kids owe them everything…it is probably a combination of Confucian filial piety and the fact that the parents have sacrificed and done so much for their children” (Chua). Chinese parents make sure their children understand the material and practice, practice, practice. Chinese children pretty much “spend their lives repaying their parents by obeying them and making them proud” through school (Chua). Through this understanding, this is a good idea to put into children’s heads. This will keep the motivation to make their parents proud and to make their lives better and have a good career in the future. “Are you ready to go to soccer practice?” Those are the words that Western parents thrive on. They are more driven for sports then academics. Chinese parents do not worry about sports, because they do not let their children play any as spare time. “Chinese parents believe that they know what is best for their children and therefore override all of their children’s own desires and preferences” (Chua). They pick everything from classes to extracellular activities in their schools. The children do not have a social life and if they announced to their parents that they had a role in a school play, even the smallest of roles, they would regret signing up. Any extra time they have in the day is spent learning and practicing schoolwork. Chinese parents do not give up teaching either. When the child cannot grasp a musical piece on an instrument, their parents will work day and night using every threat they can so their children will grasp and learn the piece by the next day. This parenting model is affective in its own way. Both the children and parents work hard