She says she’s a tiger— but oy, what a cat-fight.
Amy Chua unleashed an uproar over her book with its controversial theories on parenting—and she’s under attack everywhere —-even Joan Rivers gets into the act. I haven’t read the book yet. Still, it’s hard for me to stay out of this.
Watching the debate about whether Asian or western mothers are superior— honestly, it’s hard not to feel kind of smug. At the risk of reinforcing stereotypes, I can’t help pointing out the obvious. Because let’s face it– when it comes to raising outstanding children, everyone knows Jewish mothers have always been the gold standard.
We’re not cracking the whip either. When it comes to our kids we’re not tigers, we’re pussycats. There’s a good reason our kids are considered Princes and Princesses—because they’re spoiled rotten.
And how can you argue with such results? Our kids are consistently high achievers who go to good colleges, call home faithfully, become doctors and lawyers, make lots of money, call home faithfully, give to charity, win Nobel Prizes at rates far disproportionate to our numbers, and call home faithfully.
Unlike Chinese mothers, Jewish mothers accomplish this without punishments or public humiliation—with only a reasonable amount of guilt. We don’t have to resort to hardball tactics. We have other tricks up our sleeve. Chicken soup. Matza balls. Kugel. Enough to feed the entire high school class should they happen to drop in.
Of course there’s no recipe or rulebook for raising successful children. Anyway, who sets the standards for the outcome? What determines success? A great education? A great bank balance? A great heart?
Which happens to be the perfect segue to a story I just read in the New York Times about a different side of Chinese parenting. I always thought of China as the ideal .place to grow old. Generations live together under one roof, elders are revered.
Only it turns out China has modernized this way, too. Most seniors live on their own in the cities. Even though up to 30% of adult Chinese are partially or totally dependent financially on their parents—the kids don’t come to visit.
So there’s a new law proposed that would FORCE adult children in China to regularly visit their parents. You don’t visit, you don’t call-— a universal parent’s lament in any language. Still it sounds a little like payback to me. Chinese moms might want to re-think those parenting theories.
Really, Tiger moms, could it hurt to give the kids a little leeway?…..and maybe a little cheesecake??
Parents should definitely find a certain balance between the American way and the Chinese way described in Amy’s book. Her approach lacks this balance and ignores the fact that not every child is capable of performing well under so much pressure. What concerns me is that this book can really damage the reputation of those Chinese parents who don’t practice her methods.
I’ve read and seen some feedback from Chinese parents concerned about the same thing and how they’re portrayed. I think she’s backpedaled since all the controversy exploded, explaining that she only pressured her children to perform at their best, and knew their capabilities. Still seems pretty intense to me–I think you can’t really motivate by intimidation–but then, I’m a Jewish mother. Thanks so much, Elli, for commenting.
I was a bit taken aback by Mrs. Chua’s PR accounts of her book. As if being Chinese is some type of magical elixer. I’m sure the millions of Japanese moms who push their children felt slighted. Or maybe relieved because they’re no longer the target of stares and whispers about their drive to get their child(ren) into the best programs.
As a Jewish mom, I hear you loud and clear. My family drove me to be the cheesecake eating, pastrami sandwich ordering, chicken soup slurping perfectionist I am. I also know that if I don’t help my daughter achieve her full potential then I’m not doing my job. But at some point my daughter gets to have a choice. I’m not sure Mrs. Chua would agree.
And while I wish my daughter would draw her pictures more creatively and perfectly, she’s a child. Not an adult with a masters degree from Fancy Art University. And maybe art’s not her bag.
I thought our job as parents were to nourish our children’s heart and soul just as much as it is to feed their mind.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and putting the Jewish mom perspective out there.
I think the Jewish mom wins. Pass the cheesecake.
Haha, Jewish mothers have also been accused of over-feeding, at least in my day.
Glad to hear from you; curious to know if this book has touched off a similar reaction over there in Britain.
Thank YOU for sharing your thoughts and putting the Jewish mom perspective out there. I think you expressed it perfectly.