Summary Of David Brooks 'Battle Hymn Of The Tiger Mother'

Parenting styles differ from generations, as well as, from different countries across the world. When two different cultures collide, that leaves parents in a limbo in trying to decide what parenting technique would be the most beneficial for future offspring. Amy Chua, a Yale Law School graduate of Chinese descent, wrote a story about the details of her and her husbands’ choice in how to parent their children. The book is entitled “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother,” which she proclaims that “Chinese parents are better at raising children than westerners”. In creation of this book, Chua has received an enormous amount of feedback, mostly negative. However, the article “Amy Chua is a Wimp” written by author David Brooks, offers a different take …show more content…
Instead of corrupting their happiness, or being too strict, Brooks believes that Chua is in fact “coddling” her daughters. While he admits that study vigorously for hours on end is tedious. As well as, practicing a piece for the piano all day can be grueling. What is more difficult to master is the ability function in a social group. Brooks states that in todays working world, more emphasis is being placed on group work and settings. It has been proven that a group has the ability to solve a problem more efficiently, than if a person was to attempt on their own. To be able to accomplish this, the individual would need to know how to speak, work, and problem solve in a group setting. With Amy Chua’s approach at parenting, Brooks feel as if she is setting her daughters up for failure in this aspect. While they may be able to complete the task on their own, they won’t have a clue how to do it together as a group. Brooks also believes that a lunch room setting, or even a sleepover is more excruciating on the brain cognitively, than any amount of hours spent studying. Social interaction as a child, allows for a more developed mind and a well rounded adult. This interaction helps with the ability to problem solve. All the while, by allowing children to fail, they then have the ability to learn from that failure. All of which provide priceless …show more content…
While parenting styles from person to person, most can agree that belittling a child for not being perfect, will in fact hurt them psychologically in some way. One aspect with Amy Chuas’ parenting style that can be agreed with in most terms, is not to praise a child with every action. However, encouragement and praise only will help push a child to higher success. I praise David Brooks’ approach to critiquing this woman. Not attacking her for style of parenting, and the way she chooses to raise her daughters. Instead, choosing to state what her children are missing out on. The social interactions that are needed to develop the brain in a more well rounded way. Teaching social skills that would allow the possibility of group work, and problem solving. It’s proving that these skills are becoming more imperative in any sort of position in the work force. Brooks defines this behavior, of denying social interactions as “coddling” and ultimately labeling Mrs. Chua as a wimp. This approach uses more positive criticism, rather than bashing her traditional Chinese parenting techniques. If Amy Chua were to ever believe that there was any fault in her parenting ways, this is approach is the best way to reach