Stereotypes are implicit biases that affect the way people perceive others. It's important to understand that all ethnicities, races, and cultures have good and bad stereotypes. Chinese children have stereotypes that classify them as extremely intelligent, but without their parents, that stereotype wouldn't exist. Demanding parenting is a tactic used amongst many ethnic groups, but the following essay takes a look at rather Chinese moms are superior or not. Amy Chua's article 'Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior' expresses why demanding parenting is a tactic for generating successful children. Children of demanding parents usually suffer from mental health issues due to the amount of pressure that they're under but learn lifelong lessons such as confidence and dedication. They can miss out on expected childhood activities. Having a Chinese mother has pros and cons.
Amy Chua, an example of a demanding mother, takes pride in the stereotype of Chinese mothers and children. In her article 'Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior', she explains the difference between Chinese and American parental mindsets. “In other words, Western parents are concerned about their children's psyches. Chinese parents aren't” (Chua, 2). The rate of mental health issues among Chinese children continues to rise. Children raised under 'tiger parenting' can have ADHD, emotional problems, and behavioral problems that are noxious enough to augment into chronic mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Chinese mothers aren't concerned about their children's psyche because they expect an erudite child. Therefore, Chinese kids and other children under demanding parenting are disadvantaged because they're more likely to attempt suicide due to mental illness and pressure.
On the other hand, children with demanding parents learn to have confidence while under pressure. Lulu, Amy Chua's daughter, is an example of a child with confidence after being trained by a demanding mother. Lulu tried to give up on playing a difficult piano piece at the age of seven, but “[Amy Chua] used every weapon and tactic [she] could think of” (Chua, 4) and Lulu finally played with confidence after an arduous practice, while shouting “Mommy, look - it's easy!” (Chua, 4). Thus, demanding parents are beneficial because their children earn confidence, making them capable of succeeding without the thought of failure.
In addition, demanding parents teach their children dedication. Being committed to a task or purpose results in achieving goals. Although they are taught in a controlling way, children of demanding parents continue to succeed because dedication becomes natural: once you begin a task, it has to be finished.
However, the children excluded from childhood activities or any passions, tend to be children of demanding parents. For example, Amy Chua's children couldn't attend sleepovers, play dates, school plays, sports, etc. (Chua, 1). Children express their individuality through activities and without activities they mature very quickly. Maturing quickly is pernicious because they're isolated from leisure activities as a child, and can't socialize with people their age. On the other hand, being mature at a young age avoids common mistakes and prepares them for their future success. Therefore, demanding parents give their children an advantage because while most children are learning life strategies, their children have learned.
As a result, demanding parents should consider their children's passion and mental state while continuing to teach them confidence and dedication. Their parenting should consist of incentives where rewards are given for achieving the objectives that are given to them. With incentives, their children can continue the task that is given, while chronic mental health issues decrease. Adding an incentive can teach children how to multitask their priorities and other tasks. As far as being isolated from childhood activities, demanding parents should find an alternative that meets the parent's standards but is still for a child.