Parenting Styles
Parents play very significant roles towards the general development and growth of their children. Proper upbringing of children by their parents would lead them to become responsible, happy, focused or productive societal members. Generally, there are no set rules of how parents should raise their children. Amy Chua’s article “Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior” describes the Chinese parenting style commonly known as the “Tiger mom”. For example, Chua believes that children are not supposed to have play dates, watch television or attend night outs. On the other hand, Hanna Rosin’s article “Mother Inferior” describes the western kind of parenting style. For instance, Rosin believes that children are supposed to be given some sense of freedom. These styles normally differ in terms of how parents raise their children and may have their own successes. Some of the reasons why these parenting styles differ when compared and contrasted include: self esteem, freedom, self discovery, cautiousness and cultural factors. . In this light, the paper seeks to argue that the western parenting style is more preferable than the Chinese method based on the above reasons.
Based on these two articles, the general modes of parenting can broadly be classified into two main groups namely: authoritative and permissive parenting modes. Authoritative parents are considered to be effective since they require very high expectations from their children. This method of parenting is mainly evident in Amy Chua’s article. On the other hand, permissive parents tend to be lenient towards their children. Similarly, this method is evident in Rosin’s article that advocates for western parenting style. As such, the Chinese parenting style is considered as more of authoritative in nature while the western style can be considered as permissive. This means the western style is more preferable since permissiveness is based on understanding situations.
The western parenting style is more preferable than the Chinese mode due to a number of factors. These factors include self esteem, freedom, self discovery and cultural factors among others. Firstly, western parenting style advocates for self esteem parenting style as opposed to the Chinese parents who emphasize on academics. A western parent would be forgiving and understanding if a child does not excel in academics. They will always give their children hope and talk to them in order to develop a sense of self esteem. On the other hand, Chinese parents expect straight A’s from their children and nothing less than that “(Chua 1)”. A Chinese parent would be able use words such as ‘stupid’ or ‘a disgrace’ or ‘worthless’ if they do not get straight A’s in academics. This shows that Chinese parenting style places more emphasis on academics. As such, the western style gives children hope of doing better by understanding their challenges. This is usually good for child development.
Secondly, providing some degree of freedom to children like the western parenting style is advantageous in a number of ways. Through freedom, parents are able to understand the real feelings of their children “(Rosin 1)”. Consequently, they can address issues affecting their children effectively. For example, a free child would ask his or her parents on alcohol use as seen in television adverts or video songs. With such a sense of freedom, parents would have time to advice their children appropriately on alcohol use. On the other hand, Chinese parenting styles are very strict and do not really consider children’s feelings. For example, a Chinese child is not allowed to attend night outs and play computer games “(Chua 1)”. This is could be dangerous and have negative effects like undermining psychological development. As such, the western parenting style is more preferable since parents can effectively address issues affecting their children.
Thirdly, cultural factors also play significant roles in among western and Chinese methods of parenting. In the Chinese parenting style culture, authority is very much emphasized “(Chua 1)”. This means that children should not question anything they are told by their parents. Whether they feel it is wrong they are not suppose to argue but just do as told. For example, Chinese daughters should not question their parents on the issue of having boyfriends while still in high school “(Chua 1)”. Questioning parents is considered as disrespectful and can amount to punishment. As such, Chinese parenting style tends to have a more controlling nature that does not consider both sides. On the other hand, the western parenting culture provides chances for children to question their decisions. This means that a child is able to question his or her parent whenever any decision is made. For example, a child can question his parents on the reasons for a school transfer. By sitting together and discussing, children and parents are able to come into a consensus. As such, children brought up by this parenting style usually feel loved and appreciated.
In addition, the Chinese culture tends to advocate for parents’ dependency on children during their old age. This is the reason Chinese parents are very strict on academics since they believe that through education children would support them in future “(Chua 1)”. Contrarily, the western style does not advocate for such a culture. This is because it is not only through education that a person can support his or her parents. People have different talents that should be promoted. For example, there are many successful musicians who do not have much educational backgrounds. Considering this, the western parenting culture could help discover hidden talents in children as opposed to the Chinese culture.
On a wider perspective, western parenting method considers self discovery as an important aspect of an individual becoming successful “(Rosin 1)”. The American parents promote every single interest that a child may want or have. They are very supportive when it comes to the choices their children want to make in life. With this method, children are able to think independently and pursue whatever interest in their hearts. For example, western parents would support their children in case they decide to pursue arts, community development or music related courses. On the other hand, Chinese parents emphasize on pursuance and mastery of mathematics and science related courses “(Rosin 1)”. This means they decide for their children the career paths to take. This is dangerous as they deprive their children of their true interests in life. As such, the western self discovery supportive nature is preferable as it makes children pursue careers at heart and achieve their dreams.
Considering above discussions, it is in the best interest for any parent to choose any particular type of parenting. The western parenting style is more preferable since it is permissive, advocates for self esteem and individual discovery among others. With such western parenting elements, children are able to pursue careers of their choices and have comfortable lives.
Works Cited
Chua, Amy. Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior. The Wall Street Journal, 8 January 2011. Web. 19 April 2016.
Rosin, Hanna. Mother Inferior? The Wall Street Journal, 15 January 2011. Web. 19 April 2016.