Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother in Our Shared Shelf

Nov 18, 2011 Cindy rated it liked it · review of another edition

I wanted to read this because I was intrigued with how Chua would explain the difference in Chinese and American culture and became interested, upon reading, in her family dynamics and wondered how it would all turn out to date.
And there's so much I'd like to say about it...where to start...
Amy Chua describes how she was raised, by hardworking parents, always pushing herself to meet the standards set by her parents, and always following the rules, never questioning. She obviously did well for he I wanted to read this because I was intrigued with how Chua would explain the difference in Chinese and American culture and became interested, upon reading, in her family dynamics and wondered how it would all turn out to date.
And there's so much I'd like to say about it...where to start...
Amy Chua describes how she was raised, by hardworking parents, always pushing herself to meet the standards set by her parents, and always following the rules, never questioning. She obviously did well for herself, found a nice man, had two beautiful daughters, and a great career. I would say she feels successful and ultimately happy with her choices...except she writes how she didn't necesarily like what she did in college or thereafter and it took her quite awhile to find her niche. I suppose this is every person's journey and at least her parents pushed her so that she'd have the tools when she figured it out. But, at the same time, would it have been so bad to enjoy academia just a bit? I can't blame her. I was a workaholic in school both in academics and extracurricular activities. I put my all into even the things that I called "fun" so that they weren't always fun. They gave me a sense of pride, confidence, experience, and social opportunities but they also stressed me out when balancing that with my academics. Every time I think about going back to school for my phd I remember how stressed I felt and I quickly throw myself back into teaching history in middle school instead. And I remind myself it's ok to not be at the apex of a career if you're at the apex of your dreams.
As far as her parenting style, I can appreciate how hard she makes her daughters work. Everybody, adult and child, needs a balance of fun and work. I know, given the choice, I'd probably want to read or watch tv than do school work but my dad used to check the tv to see if it was hot so there was no choice for me. :) I have to remember that one if and when I ever become a parent. Anyway,I was raised immigrant style too so one look from my father and I toed the line. It wasn't until high school when I started to argue with my parents over my studying style. I worked hard in school but, like others, I loved to procrastinate. The pressure felt awful but it worked. They didn't like it but since my grades were above and beyond theirs in school I didn't see how they could argue with the results. But beyond the occasional argument on procratinating, my parents never called me derogatory names and made me feel better when something happened at school that brought me down. They encouraged me and showed my compassion. In the end, I realized I was the one putting pressure on myself and that my parents were always proud of me. And that's where I disagree with her style. Pushing is fine, preventing them from being lazy is fine, distrusting others is fine (my parents never let me sleepover others houses either), accepting only the best is too. BUT MAKING SUCH CRUEL COMMENTS...that's too much...my psyche would have been broken. I'm glad it worked out for Chua and she finally compromised but I'm also glad my parents weren't like that.

So, just like Chua, I loved my upbringing so much I want to mimic my parents style...a balance between fun and hard work, between acceptance and imagination, between confirmity and ingenuity. That what I try to have in my classroom. And I think that's the American way. :)

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Mar 20, 2011 Melissa rated it it was ok

Shelves: thenakedtruth

While all the controversy centers around Chua's parenting and her stereotyping of Chinese vs. Western parents, my bigger complaint was her boring writing style. One criticism of Chinese parenting is that it squashes creativity and I would say that this author would be an example of that. This book was clearly an essay length manuscript that with the help of wide margins and repetitiveness became a rather slim book.

While she argues that her mothering is all in the name of what is best for her chi ...more

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Jul 28, 2011 Suzanne rated it liked it · review of another edition

Yes, can't wait to talk to someone about this book. Also, going to start making Lucy into an Olympic ice skater--who wants to buy her some outfits (not sold on figure skating, considering speed skating instead). ...more

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Oct 04, 2011 Arielle rated it liked it · review of another edition

I read this for my book club and I liked it more than I thought I would. I saw a lot of interviews with Amy Chua several months ago, where she defended parts of the book saying that they were "funny." I didn't really understand that until I read the book. The book is funny in parts, but mostly because it seems preposterous what she was doing.

But overall, I thought her views in the book were less crazy than they were portrayed in the media.
She does have some good points (i.e. encouraging kids t ...more

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