Sunday, April 17, 2011

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother/Amy Chua/230 pages

Amy Chua describes the parenting technique she uses for her two daughters, Sophia and Lulu. Both girls are very accomplished musicians and stellar students, but their accomplishments came at a price. Chua uses intimidation, threats and verbal abuse to coerce her children into doing what she wants. (Some physical abuse is hinted at as well.) Apparently, this is the "Chinese way."

Chua knows her methods are hard for Western parents to accept or even read. She does a good job of explaining the difference in the cultures. She assumes her way is better and produces less troubled children until her second child rebels against her. She learns to adjust as best she can. Since I am considered the "strict mom" in my children's group of friends, it was a delight to read what a truly crazed strict mom really is. Many of the passage are funny, but a fair number of them left me shaking my head.

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