Are Chinese Mothers Superior?

Why Chinese Mothers are Superior
Sport in Education
Wall Street Journal

This article compares the way that Chinese mothers raise their children to the way that "Western" mothers raise their children. Chinese children are known to be "math wizzes and music prodigies." Chinese families are known to be more strict and less leniant about raising their children. The author admits that the stereotype does not include all Chinese or Western parents but it does include most.

Chinese mothers are strict when it comes to playing instruments. They make their children practice for two to three hours a day, compared to the thirty minutes to an hour or "Western" mothers.

Statistics show that "Western" mothers believe that learning should be portrayed as fun and not stressed upon their children. Chinese mothers believe that "academic achievement reflects successful parenting." Studies also show that Western kids are more likely to participate in sports rather than study like the Chinese children.

Strict parenting from the "get-go" results in a higher level of respect from the children. Chinese parents are known to be able to get away with more than Western parents are likely to be able to get away with. When Western parents are strict, the children treat them with disrespect and do not take them seriously.

The main difference is the fact that Western parents try to allow their children to make their own decisions and pursue their own goals. Whereas Chinese parents like to map out their children's successful futures.


Estarr10