Right?! This thing. My life has been uninspired, and I’ve got a bad case of the seasonal affective sadness. I go into work when it’s dark and come out when it’s dark. And I work in a windowless office. Hence, no posting. But it’s a new year and I promise to try harder!
Speaking of “trying harder” -
So, this article about Chinese parenting styles has been making the rounds. First, the title – “Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior” – is ridiculous and begs to breed more hate. Second, it perpetuates harmful and hurtful stereotypes. Third, it hurts my heart to read because I have known first hand, both from me and my friends, the mental & emotional anguish (often to the point of serious suicidal thoughts) that type of behavior causes.
Her response is that she didn’t choose the title, and that she evolves throughout the book, eventually retreating from that parenting model. So is this all a ploy to create a buzz and sell the books? Maybe, but most people aren’t going to buy the book – the book that, theoretically, explains why this model doesn’t work. They’re just going to read that article and either force that on their kids or hate Asian people.





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January 15, 2011 at 4:50 pm
Jaclyn Bailey
This article you linked breaks my heart. Unfortunately I know a Chinese mother who did raise her children like that. Her oldest son rebelled and ran off and is just now getting his life back together at the end of his 30′s…. Her older daughter flourished, is now a doctor and just had her first child.
Her youngest daughter…. well that is a different story. She was not able to meet her mom’s expectations. She tried and tried but couldn’t do it. It grew into a hatred and ugliness that she successfully hid from all that loved her until three years ago. Three years ago she killed her white husband and two “mixed” children. I dont blame her parents for what she did but I do find myself wondering if she would have done what she did if she felt loved and supported by her parents… like she had choices in life… I will never know for sure but I will always wonder.