In the article, “Tiger Moms: Is Tough Parenting the Answer?”, Annie Murphy Paul addresses the underlying issue behind “Tiger” parenting style and why most Americans are outraged by it. That underlying issue being, America is afraid they are falling behind China, which the author suggests is a reasonable concern. According to the text, there are two reasons why we are lacking, while China continues to surpass all in their path: our lacking economy and our lower education. The author points out that “the economic growth in the third quarter of 210 was an anemic 2.6%, and many economists say unemployment will continue to hover above 9%” while “... in China, the economy is steaming along at more than 10% annual growth, and the country is running
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The author discusses why comforting children is not beneficial to their development, why “slathering praise” to children for simple task leaves them vulnerable to the harsh world, and why repetition at all costs helps anyone come out on top.
In conclusion, the author analyses and discusses the reasons why America fears this Eastern way of parenting and why whether you choose to be a Tiger or a soft-hearted parent, a mixture of both is best.
I believe this article was very effective in portraying an issue, showing both sides of the story, and coming to a common ground as the conclusion. The way the Mrs. Paul sets up the story with a hook about a real life Tiger mom was very intriguing. The detail and narrative about Amy Chua’s aggressive parenting methods immediately got me craving for more of the story. Passages like, “It was the ‘Little White Donkey’ incident that pushed many readers over the edge. That’s the name of the piano tune that Amy Chua, Yale law professor and self-described “tiger mother,” forced her 7-year-old daughter Lulu to practice for hours on end -- ‘right through dinner into the night,’ with no breaks for water or even the bathroom until at last Lulu learned to play the piece,” grabbed ahold of my attention, allowing me to visual picture in my head the scenario being described. This is only one of the many times the author managed to tell a narrative while shining light upon the issue of Tiger
The author discusses why comforting children is not beneficial to their development, why “slathering praise” to children for simple task leaves them vulnerable to the harsh world, and why repetition at all costs helps anyone come out on top.
In conclusion, the author analyses and discusses the reasons why America fears this Eastern way of parenting and why whether you choose to be a Tiger or a soft-hearted parent, a mixture of both is best.
I believe this article was very effective in portraying an issue, showing both sides of the story, and coming to a common ground as the conclusion. The way the Mrs. Paul sets up the story with a hook about a real life Tiger mom was very intriguing. The detail and narrative about Amy Chua’s aggressive parenting methods immediately got me craving for more of the story. Passages like, “It was the ‘Little White Donkey’ incident that pushed many readers over the edge. That’s the name of the piano tune that Amy Chua, Yale law professor and self-described “tiger mother,” forced her 7-year-old daughter Lulu to practice for hours on end -- ‘right through dinner into the night,’ with no breaks for water or even the bathroom until at last Lulu learned to play the piece,” grabbed ahold of my attention, allowing me to visual picture in my head the scenario being described. This is only one of the many times the author managed to tell a narrative while shining light upon the issue of Tiger