Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior

In “Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior,” Chua compares the stereotypical Chinese parents to the Western parents which is an issue raised since many people question how Chinese kids are brought up to be very influential who add a great impact in their community. Chua starts by visiting the idea of the superior academia of the Chinese kids in contrast to the westerners, which she suggests is a result of their parents impact.

Starting with the Chinese lifestyle, the kids seem to be encouraged to perform better in academics than in extracurricular activities. On the other hand, extracurricular are fundamental to western parents where they seem to be more “easy going” in the authors view point. Evidently, she adds that most of the Chinese mothers believe their kids are the best in academia. Kids are henceforth expected to seek perfection and exceed their expectations, in this very competitive society.Moreover, the author vividly portrays the contrasting differences between both the Chinese personal interests and the Westerners’ suggesting that Chinese parents add great importance for their kids penetrate scholarly exercises. Yet, the more Western cultures seek success in the happiness of they children, and to see them fulfill other goals than academia, such as playing a sport, or taking part in a dramatically performance in theatre. In the Chinese culture, these things are seen as unproductive and in-fact not necessary for success in anyway. with their kids.

Parents play a huge role in shaping the interests the kids have, since the children are indoctrinated with these ideas of becoming scholars or as becoming champions as their way to succeed in life, this shapes their ideas as they grow, and they embody those principles in their everyday situations. They carry what they have learnt at their homes in their everyday life, hence, we see that the Chinese become exceedingly academic as the impact of their guardians. Hence, after receiving the respect and certainty of the audience, the action becomes more and more fun to the person performing it. Furthermore, the author talks about how Chinese guardians can do things that would appear incredible to Western guardians. As stated, Chinese guardians say or do things to their children that would appear harsh to western guardians; such as arranging grades vs doing their best, or insulting them as a self confidence boost vs actually worrying about their kids’ minds and feelings. To the Chinese, what is important is quality of performance, not delicacy of interaction. In addition, Chua suggests that the best way to improve a child’s situation and boost up their self confidence, is to carve in their minds the idea of never giving up on anything.

For Westerners, the idea of failing at something is somehow an eye opener that anything can be accomplished if you learn how to. To conclude, the Chinese trust that being harsh on their children is a way of showing affection and trust to their kids. This seems to have a very surprisingly effect of producing geniuses, which is “setting them up for the future and giving them a chance to perceive what they're prepared to do, and equipping them with abilities, work propensities and inward certainty that nobody can ever take away”. Contrary to westerners, they appear to be more easy going towards their kids; they regard their children's’ uniqueness, and urge them to chase their actual interests, while supporting their every decision and give unlimited supportive feedback to the actions they eventually take. However, the author believes it is a misconception on both sides.