Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother (Amy Chua)

Name : Hoh Tjin Li

Class : S4A

School Num. : 08160

Book Call Num. :

Book Title : Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

Author : Amy Chua

Publication Year/ (Edition) : 2011

Sypnosis

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. They often follow the rule which is known as “stand behind, don’t push”. But, the Chinese believe that the best way to protect your children is by preparing them for the future and arming them with skills. Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother shows Chua's iron-willed decision to raise her daughters, Sophia and Lulu, her way-the Chinese way.

Message to the readers

This book had help to start a debate between Chinese pareting and Western parenting. Amy Chua hammers western parenting, but she could learn from it too. From this Book, readers get to understand what Chinese parents emphasis is that nothing is fun until you're good at it. To get good at anything you have to work, and children on their own never want to work, which is why it is crucial to override their preferences. This often requires iron heart on the part of the parents because the child will resist; things are always hardest at the beginning, which is where Western parents tend to give up.

The fact is that Chinese parents can do things that would seem unimaginable—even legally actionable—to Westerners. Chinese mothers can say to their daughters, "Hey fatty—lose some weight." By contrast, Western parents have to get the way around the issue, talking in terms of "health" and never ever mentioning the f-word, and their kids still end up in therapy for eating disorders and negative self-image.

Chinese parents can order their kids to get straight As. Western parents can only ask their kids to try their best. Chinese parents can say, "You're lazy. All your classmates are getting ahead of you." By contrast, Western parents have to struggle with their own conflicted feelings about achievement, and try to persuade themselves that they're not disappointed about how their kids turned out.

Although none of the ways of western parenting or Chinese parenting is 100% perfect. But at least readers get to know about the pro’s and cons of both parenting.

Opinion

I found this a very interesting read and I surely learned a lot by reading this book. Although, I would never choose to have a parent like Amy Chua, but I do think that there are good points in the way she uses. There are a lot of different ways for raising children and even though a lot of people may judge Amy for being too harsh, I think reading about her way was a very valuable lesson for me. It also Makes me love my mum more! I would recommend this book for everyone who would like to learn more about the Chinese culture and maybe even for all parents.