Rating: ****
Tags: Child Rearing, General, United States, Women, Family & Relationships, Biography & Autobiography, Biography, Social Science, Ethnic Studies, Parenting, Asian American Studies, Mothers, Chinese American women, Motherhood, Mothers and daughters - China, Personal Memoirs, Mothers - United States, China, Cultural Heritage, Mothers and daughters, Chua; Amy, Mothers and daughters - United States, Lang:en
Summary
An awe-inspiring, often hilarious, and unerringly honest
story of one mother's exercise in extreme parenting,
revealing the rewards-and the costs-of raising her children
the Chinese way. All decent parents want to do what's best for their
children. What
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother reveals is that the
Chinese just have a totally different idea of how to do that.
Western parents try to respect their children's
individuality, encouraging them to pursue their true passions
and providing a nurturing environment. The Chinese believe
that the best way to protect your children is by preparing
them for the future and arming them with skills, strong work
habits, and inner confidence.
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother chronicles Chua's
iron-willed decision to raise her daughters, Sophia and Lulu,
her way-the Chinese way-and the remarkable results her choice
inspires. Here are some things Amy Chua would never allow her
daughters to do: • have a playdate
The truth is Lulu and Sophia would never have had time for
a playdate. They were too busy practicing their instruments
(two to three hours a day and double sessions on the weekend)
and perfecting their Mandarin. Of course no one is perfect, including Chua herself.
Witness this scene: "According to Sophia, here are three things I actually
said to her at the piano as I supervised her practicing:
But Chua demands as much of herself as she does of her
daughters. And in her sacrifices-the exacting attention spent
studying her daughters' performances, the office hours lost
shuttling the girls to lessons-the depth of her love for her
children becomes clear.
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother is an eye-opening
exploration of the differences in Eastern and Western
parenting--and the lessons parents and children everywhere
teach one another. **
• be in a school play
• complain about not being in a school play
• not be the #1 student in every subject except
gym and drama
• play any instrument other than the piano or
violin
• not play the piano or violin
1. Oh my God, you're just getting worse and worse.
2. I'm going to count to three, then I want musicality.
3. If the next time's not PERFECT, I'm going to take
all your stuffed animals and burn them!"