Palmer's Book Post #3

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

by Amy Chua

Part #1

     Amy Chua's book, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, serves to both chronicle her parenting style and its effectiveness in raising her children as well as to compare her parenting style (Eastern ideals) with the style presented by her immediate community (Western ideals). The book begins by Chua delineating her personal definitions of Western and Eastern cultures, in an effort to preemptively acknowledge possible objections to her loose use of certain terms (such as "westerners"). She also uses the term 'Chinese mother' to refer to any parent, whether male or female, whether Chinese or not, that follows a strict parenting style reminiscent of a East Asian mentality. Chua then goes on to describe the three generations of Chinese immigration: the first begins with nothing and works hard to provide for their children, who grow up in the lower class. The second generation attains a slightly higher level of society, usually falling into the middle class (confortable living), but they still remain strongly rooted in their heritage. It is only until the third generation that the children begin to adopt the surrounding culture, becoming more Westernized and feeling entitled to their place in society. Chua, a member of the second generation, states that she would do anything in her power to prevent her children, third generationers, from falling away from the expectations and value system of their heritage. The methods Chua employs are very controversial, arguably abusive, such as her micromanagement of her children's life, her disregard for her children's happiness, and her use of verbal degradation.