Adkins1
Dalton Adkins
Lawler
English 111
20 October 2018
Perspective
Chinese children have always stereotypically done better in excelling above and beyond. Some have even gone as far as being the top of their field. If we were to take the stereotype as fact, the driving force behind it would be the parents. The way that people look at the parenting method of the Chinese varies greatly, depending on your background. The Chinese themselves believe that their method is better than even the Western form of parenting. While those in the west believe the Chinese to be treating their child with such distance that it is dangerous for the child’s mental health. There are many positive and negative aspects about Chinese parenting.
One of the positive aspects of the traditional Chinese parenting method, is that their child will excel in whatever it is they do. The Chinese instill a good work ethic, and a hatred of failure into their kids. However, it can be said that this fear of failure is a side-effect of their native China’s government and its propaganda. The complete lack of any other individualization amongst Chinese children allows them to excel in that one area, and be prepared for any future challenges along the way. A good work ethic, and the hatred of failure will allow one to go very far in life.
However, there are many downsides to this positive aspect. The lack of individualization can cause someone to have a low self-esteem, as they are just like everyone else. Failure could also lead to that same conclusion, as Chinese parents would insult their children if they failed. They also cannot socialize and grow as a person, which in turn leans to a decline in mental health and stability. The mental health issues are numerous, and are caused by the complete lack of compassion and forgiveness of Chinese parents.
Chinese children are under risk of suicide any time they are away from their parents, or when they fail. Failure becomes a perversion of nature to the child, and as such, they believe themselves to be trash, or unworthy if they ever do fall below their parents expectations. Their parents will explode in a rage of anger and confusion if the child falls below their line of success. An A- is not good enough for the elite Chinese parents. Suicides are high amongst college students, and Chinese students are among those statistics.
The differences in perspective in Chinese parenting are downright staggering. Each side has ups, and downs. However, the Chinese side seems to have more cons than pros. The Chinese can instill good work ethics and fear of failure, however this fear of failure could backfire on the child, as they take it as a complete perversion of nature to even think of failing. The mental health issues are numerous, and could potentially hurt a great number of people. Chinese parenting methods are very odd to Western parents, and the differences in perspective will always staggering in amount.
Works Cited
Akins, Robert. Greeks and Romans. Philadelphia: Random House, 1989. Print.
Goldman, Henry, and Elizabeth Howard. Ancient Civilizations. Philadelphia: Gold House, 1989. Print.