Tackling the Tiger Mom(b)|《虎妈的战歌》：蔡美儿女士的育儿经

Since the launch of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, interest in parenting methods from different cultures has increased. People in the West are looking at what benefits can be found in Eastern methods and vice versa. However, when one makes generalizations about Western and Eastern parenting methods, it should be noted that not everyone falls into either category completely. All parents take what they have been taught and what they have experienced from their own upbringing to create their personal insights into parenting. Despite this, there are differences between the East and West.

In Western cultures, more emphasis is placed on children's self-esteem. Parents avoid too much criticism for fear that it may give their children a complex. Additionally, there is a bigger push for Western children to learn independence and self-sufficiency at a younger age. On the other hand, parents in the East tend to see it as their duty to push their children to achieve. Hurting the child's feelings along the way is not as important as the final result. Obeying one's elders and understanding that one's obligations to family exceed nearly everything else are all part of Eastern methods. As a result, Eastern parents push their children to succeed academically, but they end up waiting on them hand and foot in all other aspects of their lives.

So who's right and who's wrong? No one. It is the job of every parent to pay attention to their children's needs and find the best way for them to nurture all areas of development.

1.  Who is Amy Chua?

(A) An educator that compared Western parenting methods with Eastern ones.

(B) A mother that didn't raise her children properly.

(C) A teacher that has come up with a new style of parenting.

(D) An author that has written a book about being a mother.

2.  What is NOT mentioned as a reason for some parents being upset with Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother?

(A) Chua did not want a sloppy card her daughter made for her.

(B) Chua wanted to teach her methods to other parents.

(C) Chua did not arrange time for her daughters to play with friends.

(D) Chua's children could not stay overnight at a friend's house.

3.  According to the article, what has Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother caused?

(A) A change from Western to Eastern parenting methods.

(B) More parents sending their children abroad for schooling.

(C) A greater interest in parenting techniques.

(D) Criticism of all Eastern parenting strategies.

4.  What conclusions can be drawn from this article?

(A) Parents must decide the best way to raise their children for themselves.

(B) Children should be free to develop as they please.

(C) Eastern methods have no place in today's world.

(D) Western methods need to be developed more.

　　《虎妈的战歌》一书推出以来，人们对不同文化的教养方式更感兴趣。西方人开始研究东方教养方式有何优点，而反之亦然。不过，当我们对西方和东方的教养方式概括而论时，我们要留意的是，并非每个人都完全隶属于某一个类别。每位父母都结合自己在受教养时所接收到和体验到的东西，进而创造出个人对教养子女的见解。尽管如此，东西方仍然存在着差异。

　　西方文化较重视孩子的自尊。父母会避免过多的批评，以免小孩产生心结。另外，西方儿童在很小的年纪就被迫学习独立和自给自足。另一方面，东方父母往往将督促孩子获得成就视为己任。在这过程中，孩子受到的心灵创伤比不上最后结果来得重要。服从长辈和了解自己对家庭的义务几乎凌驾于一切之上，这些都是东方的教养方式。所以，东方父母对孩子施加压力，要求课业成绩要好，结果在孩子人生的其他各方面却保护过度。

　　那么究竟谁对谁错？没有人对，也没有人错。为人父母者都有义务留意孩子的需要，并找出最好的方式来培育他们各方面的发展。

答案：1. (D)2. (B)3. (C)4. (A)

《虎妈的战歌》原本要说的是中国父母教养小孩比西方父母高明之处，然而后来说的却是激烈的文化冲突、一闪而逝的光荣滋味，以及 1个 13 岁孩子是如何挫掉虎妈的锐气。归根究底，这个故事说的其实是 1 个母亲对 2 个女儿所怀抱的希望，以及她心甘情愿为投资她们未来所做的冒险。（数据源：博客来网络书店）