Paper Example on Chinese Parenting Stereotype

Introduction

In the two essays, Chinese parents are focusing on making decisions for their children, leaving them no room for exploring to discover what they are good at themselves. People in the outside wonder how Chinese mothers help their children become that successful. However, it's evident that the children are going through a hard time trying to fit in where they are authorized to. Two kinds are written in a child's view showing that the children do not love that kind of upbringing. Conversely, the mother who wrote 'why Chinese mothers are superior' writes in a mother's view. It shows how contented the mothers are in bringing up their children this way. The two essays bring out Chinese parents as strict and dominant.

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In two kinds, Jing-Mei does not want to play the piano, while her mother insists that she plays every four o'clock. ". "Four clocks," she reminded me," (Tan 1989). This is even after she had misplayed the piano in front of the crowd. Also, Waverly's mother is not proud that her daughter has many Chess trophies. "She plays chess all day. I have no time to do anything all day but to do nothing all day but to dust her winnings off." She threw a rebuke look at Waverly," This shows her mum wants her to do something else. In "why Chinese mothers are superior," there is a list of what a Chinese mother does not allow her children to do. It shows that they are supposed to specialize in what they are instructed to do. Below is a discussion on how the two essays are similar and how they contrast.

Differences

In "two kinds," Jing-Mei's mother tries to explore where her daughter's ability lies. She is sure her daughter has great ability. "Jing-Mei's mother held that you could be whatever you wanted to be in America. (p 405) .America is a place where all Jing Mei's mother's optimism lay." First, Mrs. Woo tries to frame her into a child artist, which does not work. She tries intelligent trials trimmed from favorite magazines, but they bear no fruits Finally, Mrs. Woo triumphs in finding the answer when she realizes her daughter is a piano expert. On the other hand, in 'why Chinese women are superior,' the Chinese parents do not explore to help discover what their children are good at. They tell them what to do and what not to do.

In 'two kinds,' Jing-Mei builds up the courage to face her mother and tell her how she feels about playing the piano. She battles her all the way." I didn't have to do what my mother said any longer. I wasn't her slave. This wasn't China. I had listened to her before and look what happened. She was the stupid one," she chooses. Unwavering to frustrate her mother's determinations. Her poor performance proved she is not a musical prodigy, and her mother still insists that she should continue playing the piano. At this time, she decides to face her mother. "I won't play anymore," I said dispassionately."(Tan 1989). She at one point tells her mother it would be better if she were dead like her other daughters whom she lost. "'I wish I were dead! Like them.' It was as if I had said magical words". This becomes a turning point for her since her mother lets go and does not force her to play the piano again. Conversely, in 'why Chinese mothers are superior,' we don't see the children fight for what they want to do. They are given instructions by their parents, "Here are some things my daughters...... were not ever allowed to do:" (Chua 2011).

Another difference is that in 'two kinds,' the two characters discussed are firm on what they want their daughters to do. Mrs. Woo and her friend order their children to do what they feel is good for them, and are a good example of typical Chinese women. On the other hand, in the essay 'why Chinese mothers are superior,' we see some Chinese women who don't force their children to specialize in music and studies. "I recognize some mothers of Chinese Heritage.........who are not Chinese mothers, because they want to or otherwise." (Chua 2011).

Also, in 'why Chinese women are superior,' the children become successful after being exposed to music and studies only. "A lot of people wonder how Chinese women raise such stereotypically successful kids. They wonder what these parents do to produce to produce so many math experts and music prodigies" (Chua 2011). On the contrary, Jing-Mei does not succeed in playing the guitar which her mother feels she is talented in. After her performance, she "overheard a little boy murmur loudly to his mother. 'That was terrible,'". She also sees the look on her parent's faces showing disappointment. In the end, she stops playing the piano.

Similarities

In both cases, children do not make their own decision. Their parents choose careers and talents for them. In two kinds, Mrs. Woo decides what her daughter is good at. Jing-Mei's is not given a chance to give her opinion. "My mother told me what my program would remain for piano training and piano exercise. She had talked to Mr. Chong..."Similarly, in why Chinese mothers are superior, the writer makes decisions on what her children should do and what they should not do." Here are some things my daughters were never allowed to do."(Chua 2011).Also, both parents want their children to do music or study. In two kinds, Mrs. Woo asks Jing-Mei, "'What's the capital of Finland?' while looking at the story. She is trying to see whether her daughter is a genius. At long last, she still chooses a music talent for her daughter: playing the piano. Similarly, in 'why Chinese mothers are superior,' Children are allowed to play the piano or violin and to study. They are not allowed to do any other co-curricular activities. "They wonder what these parents do to yield too many math experts and musical geniuses."(Chua2011).

Conclusion

The two stories portray Chinese mothers as conservative. They do not want their children to explore what they are good at. Instead, they are pushed into either music or studying. However, Mrs. Woo lets her daughter do things her way. She brings out the theme of change. Also, the writer of, why Chinese mothers are superior does not want her children to do any other thing other than study and play the violin. It's evident that she is contented with the way she brings them up when she says, "A lot of people wonder in what way Chinese parents raise such stereotypically fruitful kids." (Chua 2011). Children should be given an allowance to make decisions on what they want to do, including engaging in co-curricular activities. This way, they will be in a position to discover their talents and do their level best.

Works Cited

Chua, Amy. "Why Chinese women are superior: The wall street journal."2011.

Tan, Amy. "The Joy Luck Club: Two kinds." 1989. Retrieved from A Chua - Wall Street Journal, 2011 - psychology.sunysb.edu