Essay Sample on Tiger Mon Parenting Versus Western Parenting

When Chua's book was released in 2011, it not only became one of the best sellers in the world, but it also elicited numerous debates. The tiger mom-parenting style, which was being advocated for by Chua, received mixed reactions from parents and other stakeholders across the globe. According to Chua, Western parents are not as strict as they think they are. She writes that "Even when Western parents think they are strict, they usually don't come close to being Chinese mothers" (Chua, 270). Many of them subject their kids to only 30 minutes of playing instruments a day, and they perceive themselves as stringent parents (Chua, 270). In contrast, Chinese parents cannot take failure or accept anything less than being exceptional. Their kids are subjected to long hours of piano and violin training. At times, children at not allowed to leave the instruments until they get what they were learning right, even if it means staying up all night. For instance, the case of Lulu and "Little White Donkey" (Chua, 273). Despite the harsh parenting style Lulu and Sophia underwent, they became successful, happy, and productive. Therefore, this is a clear indication that Tiger-mom parenting is more likely to produce kids and adults who are happy and productive as compared to the western parenting style.

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The instant Lulu learned to play the "Little White Donkey" clearly shows that the harsh parenting method produces happy kids. Before she learned to coordinate her fingers on the piano, she was miserable and wanted to quit. But her mother was very harsh on her, Chua did not only use mean words on her, but she also forced her to practice for very long hours. Chua says that "We worked right through dinner into the night, and I wouldn't let Lulu get up, not for water…." (Chua, 273). At this point, Lulu was very unhappy, but the moment she got it right, she was thrilled. She even shared her joy with her mother by saying, "Mommy, look, it's easy." On that particular night, Lulu was not only happy, but she also slept with her mother on the same bed.

While talking to Tanith Carey, Sophia says, "I remember my childhood as happy" (Carey, 277). When individuals had a very rough and unhappy childhood, the chances of them forgetting what they underwent is very minimal. Therefore, how a person describes his or her childhood determines whether they were happy while young. The descriptions given by Sophia points to the fact she was pleased as a kid, and this, therefore, is proof enough that tiger parenting is useful in producing happy kids.

In their adulthood, both Lulu and Sophia also look happy, and this supports the claim that tiger mom parenting is more efficient in producing content and productive adults as compared to the western style. Both Chua's daughters believed that their mothers' style of parenting was instrumental in helping them grow into thoughtful, polite, and modest individuals (Carey, 277). Moreover, another factor that proves the two are happy is that they are willing to adopt the same style of parenting to their children. Parents, especially mothers, always want the best for their kids. Even though there are instances where mothers harm their children, many wish their kids maximum happiness. On that note, being that Sophia and Lulu want to adopt the tiger mom parenting style, it shows that the technique made them happy adults. That is why they want to adopt it on their children, so as to also make them happy and productive.

The case of Sophia and Lulu also shows a direct relationship between academic success and success in a career. Like any other Chinese parent, Chua only expected her children to score straight As. Their good grades resulted in them attending some of the best colleges in the world, which are Harvard and Yale (Carey, 276). Attending the best schools in the world may signal their first case of success in their careers. Firstly, they will be equipped with top-notch training and skills needed by employers. Secondly, many employers give top priority to prospects who attended the best schools in the world.

Furthermore, one central element that defines whether an individual will have a successful career is high work engagement levels. For an individual to be highly engaged in their work, the person must also possess certain qualities. These qualities include hard work, commitment, ability to not giving up as well as being thoughtful. At the same, an individual needs these qualities to be successful in his or her education. As mentioned by Sophia, while talking to Carey, "Hard work pays off" (Carey, 277). Therefore, since individuals who succeed academically possess qualities such as hard work and the same qualities are needed for success in the workplace, this indicates that there is a direct link between academic success and success in career.

The debate around tiger parenting also shows that different parties put different weights on academic success. For instance, Amy Chua believes that academic success is mandatory, not negotiable. According to Chua, children should not be asked to perform better; instead, they should be ordered. Chua says that "Chinese parents demand perfect grades because they believe their children can get them." (Chua, 272). Her main argument towards this is that in most cases, children do not only know what they want, but they are always lazy to work. Parents know what is best for their kids, and according to Chua, academic success is one of them.

On the other hand, Tanith Carey does not put much weight on academic success. How she describes Chua's book is an excellent example that can be used in illustrating that Carey does not give much importance to academic success. She says that Mr. Cameron was describing Chua's book as a manual parents can use to get their students to the best educational institutions, and this makes him look like an individual who have not read the book. According to her, the book can be described as a manual of making a child alienated and rebellious (Carey, 277). Given that the book put a lot of weight on academic success, and Carey described it as a manual of destroying a kid's life, it shows that she does not value academic success that much.

In conclusion, the tiger mom parenting style may seem extreme, but its outcomes prove that it is more efficient in producing happy kids, and productive adults when they grow up. Both Lulu and Sophia are proof enough to support this claim. Besides, there is also a direct link between academic success and success in career. For an individual to succeed academically, they need to possess' certain qualities such as hard work. These are also the qualities required for a successful career, and since the person poses them, there are high chances of succeeding in the workplace. The readings also show that different parties put different levels of importance to academic success. Chua opines that academic success is very instrumental; however, Carey does not put much significance to academic success.

Work Cited

Carey, Tanith. "Whatever Happened to the Original Tiger Mum's Children?" The Telegraph (2016).

Chua, Amy. Battle hymn of the tiger mother. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2011.