Every race, culture, country or religion is subject to stereotypes. In the field of parenting, some children are too attached to their cultures while others are not. In some cultures, children are treated with coercion while others are spoiling them. Every child differs from each other as well as parents. Regardless of race, culture or religion, every parent should teach their children love and respect for their cultural heritage as well as awareness on others.
I always have the notion that strict parents raise successful children. This perception is attributed to the many successful people who admitted that without their parents’ undying support and dedication, they would never be successful. Media, newspaper and magazines also play an important role by featuring campaigns on the benefits of strict parenting.
When I was eight years old, I was an A straight student. Being brought up by strict parents, I was afraid of making mistakes which made me very vulnerable. I was never allowed to go anywhere with friends or social functions at school. I had few friends but didn't last long because I never had the time to keep in touch. I became paranoid and without my parents’ knowledge, I began to play video games and soccer outside without doing my homework which later caused me to get bad grades. Soon, I dropped out of school and ran away from home until I got into trouble. Months later, I went back to my parents and swore not to do it again. My parents somehow loosened their grips on me and allowed me to enjoy some freedom which they never did before. I am in college now and am doing good although I am no longer a straight A student. Since then, my assumptions on strict parents raising successful children have somehow changed.
I agree with Amy Chua’s claim that raising children takes a lot of sacrifice and discipline in order for children to produce academic achievements. Amy Chua’s stereotyping reasons clearly suggest that parenting roles among Chinese mothers are something they are expected to excel and that they are willing to do whatever it takes for their children to excel at school. Her article also states that there’s a big difference between the way Chinese mothers and Western mothers when it comes to parenting which somehow implies that Western mothers could never raise their children the way Chinese mothers do. These statements are quite subjective in nature which I disagree with her. My own experience could prove Amy Chua’s stereotyping reasons wrong because my parents were of Western origin yet they were absolutely strict on me. I believe that anybody, regardless of race, culture and religion is capable of raising a successful child. One doesn’t need to be Chinese to be an effective parent as well as one doesn’t need to be strict to produce successful children. What’s more important is that parents should be concerned about their children’s self-esteem and respect their children’s individuality.
On the other hand, I don’t agree with Patrick Basset’s assumption that success of Asian-Americans on being a minority model is a threat to the white culture and detrimental to Asian Pacific American (APA) community. On the contrary, I believe that their success should serve as an inspiration to those who are aspiring to excel in academics. In support for his claim that stereotypes when mixed with reality can create confusion, bias and discrimination in which discrimination issues were being taken for granted, Patrick Bassett used logic, critical thinking and actual facts from the data collected by NAIS. By separating facts from fiction, he was able to distinguish truth from assumption. In this regard, I agree with his being objective.
Works Cited:
Chua, Amy. “Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior”. Battle Hymm of the Mother Tiger. Penguin Press, Penguin Group, USA (2011). Print.
“Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders: Facts Not Fiction: Setting the Records Straight. The College Board. June 2008. Web. October 6, 2013.
<http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/08-0608-AAPI.pdf>
