Amy Chuas The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, and Hanna Rosins Mother Inferior - Assignment Example

Amy Chua vs. Hanna Rosin Amy Chua vs. Hanna Rosin Introduction Amy Chua and Hanna Rosin are who both write about parenting as a mother, but whose views clashed in many ways. They have differing views pertaining to education and overall wellness. This is evident, particularly from their opinions seen when comparing Amy Chua’s article, The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, and Hanna Rosin’s Mother Inferior. In Rosin’s article, she seems to allow her children extreme freedom as opposed to Chua, who believes in controlling her children. Rosin insists that she wants her children to be happy and as such, does not force them to do anything. For instance, she says that success is not the only way to make one happy saying that it is better for her children to be moderately successful, but very happy, rather than be high achievers haunted by the misery of being overly controlled. Amy Chua is a Chinese author, but working at the Yale school of law. Her works have served to highlight several aspects that define the Chinese parenting model. From her opinion, Chinese children are more likely to register success in their endeavors compared to the western children. This is because of the different models adopted during parenting. Chua highlights her experience of motherhood and parenting an effort to depict a typical Chinese mother. It emerges that Chinese mothers are very strict and employ different strategies that can propel the children to success. The convictions of these mothers are based on the fact that young children do not have an interest in working hard. The notion of working hard must be inculcated in them as they grow older. This is the reason why Chua highlights that Chinese mothers are more likely to override the passions and preferences of their children. Notably, Chua reveals that Chinese children do not have an opportunity to decide what is best for them, but rather parents make all the critical decisions surrounding the lives of their children. In one of Chua’s article that has caused a controversy about parenting between the western models and the Chinese model, Chua describes the parenting model adopted by the Chinese mothers. The article is titled, ‘Why Chinese Mothers are Superior’. This article highlights that parents have the responsibility of imparting their children with the required skills and competences. Chinese mothers demand that their children should be above average students. Therefore, they spend time and effort molding their children to become remarkable individuals in the society. However, the strategies for achieving this differ from those adopted by the western mothers (Chua, 2011). Chua opines that a parent must demand exemplary grades from children. This is exactly what Chinese mothers do in a bid to ensure that their children do not settle for less. Children registering average performances have to deal with reactions from their mothers and an increasing pressure to improve. Many mothers will scold their children for poor performance and engage them in a rigorous learning practice so that they may register better grades. Chua is of the opinion that calling children names may serve as a wakeup call reminding children that they have to exhibit exemplary competence. Moreover, Chua supports a common practice done by Chinese mothers of choosing the best curricular activities for their children. This is based on the fact that parents have the capacity to identify what their children can do better. Even though the children may lack the interest in the initial stages of learning new skills, if they excel in the skill, they enjoy the admiration it brings. Chua highlights that Chinese mothers are less likely to allow their children to give up. Children trying to give up usually face threats from the mothers a factor that makes Chinese children very disciplined. Chua highlights the benefits of highlighting the Chinese parenting model. This is evident from the performance of her two daughters. She mentions that both her daughters have never scored anything less than an A grade. Moreover, they have exemplary skills in playing the violin and the piano. Many of Chua’s writings serve to defend the Chinese parenting model and justify its application in ensuring that children succeed. On the other hand, Hanna Rosin depicts a different opinion on her writings concerning parenting. As highlighted above, she has authored a text titled, ‘Mothers Inferior’. Her opinions about parenting contrast to those exhibited by Chua. Rosin believes that Chua’s parenting model uses compulsion to get children perform tasks and actively engage in learning. Rosin has the conviction that children deserve an opportunity to decide what is best for them. Therefore, children should have the freedom to pursue their passions out of their own will. This makes children have a say concerning their lives. Moreover, Rosin makes it clear that children should have control of their lives by choosing their preferences and pursuing their dreams. Rosin does not believe in the Chinese model of parenting because it focuses on forcing children to learn certain passions. In her opinion, children deserve a chance of having friends, having leisure times, and being able to explore different activities out of their own initiative. In her work, she places emphasis on the need for Chinese mothers adopt better strategies of parenting. The individuality of children is more critical in the western society and parents preferred to protect their reputation and self-esteem of their children. Conclusion Unlike Chua, Rosin lets her children play dates and spend nights out at their friends’. Amy Chua believes in success, and wanted to ensure that both her children and her life were all very successful. As such, she suggests that children should be controlled by their parents to the letter. To her, allowing excess freedom to children (especially daughters) is “sparing the rod” and denies them the roadmap to success. Again, she believes that success is the root of everything good as for that matter states that it is better that her daughters were miserable during their young ages but enjoyed success later. Chua insists that parents should choose what is best for their children. In her article, for example, she reveals that she decided between two musical instruments; the violin or piano, which each of their daughters had to learn. On the other hand, Rosin says that if one is forced to learn anything, they may become good at it, but they turn to hate it in the long run. Collectively, Amy Chua feels that western mothers (unlike her Chinese origin) are less mothers when it comes to parenting because they let their children decide what they want. Hanna Rosin does not agree. Works Cited Chua, A. (2011). “Why Chinese Mothers are Superior”, The Wall Street Journal. Retreaved on 18th September from http://online.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704111504576059713528698754 Read More