“I think the biggest difference is that I've noticed Western parents seem much more concerned about their children's psyches, their self-esteem, whereas tough immigrant parents assume strength rather than fragility in their children and therefore behave completely differently.” ThinkingChildrenSelfSeemsParentDifferencesSelf EsteemToughConcernedAssumingWesternEsteemBehaveImmigrantsFragilityPsychImmigrant Parents Author:Amy Chua
“Parenting is the hardest thing I have ever done. I tried to find the balance between the strict, traditional Chinese way I was raised, which I think can be too harsh, and what I see as a tendency in the West to be too permissive and indulgent. If I could do it all again, I would, with some adjustments.” IfsThinkingWayDoneBalanceWestRaisedHardestTraditionalTendenciesChineseIf I CouldHarshStrictHardest ThingAdjustment Author:Amy Chua
“There's something suspicious about saying, 'I'm just going to leave my child alone and let her pursue her passions.' You know what? I think most 13-year-olds' passion is sitting in front of the TV, or doing Facebook, or surfing the Internet for hours.” ThinkingKnowsYearsChildrenPassionHoursFrontsTvsInternetSittingPursueMy ChildrenSurfingSuspiciousSurfing The Internet Author:Amy Chua
“I think there are many ways to raise great kids. From what I can tell, Ayelet Waldman's kids are interesting, strong, and happy, and if that's the case, that's good parenting.” IfsThinkingWayI CanKidsStrongInterestingCasesRaisesGood ParentGood Parenting Author:Amy Chua
“China is doing lots of things right. It's investing in education and R&D, it's opening up, it's more cosmopolitan than it's ever been. I think it's very likely that China will continue to explode economically and certainly become a superpower.” ThinkingInvestingChinaOpeningSuperpowerOpening Up Author:Amy Chua
“I do think that maybe, even subconsciously, a lot of parents in the West are wondering, have we gone too far in the direction of coddling and protecting - you know, you see kids, sometimes that seem very rude and disrespectful. And the more important thing is they don't seem that happy.” ThinkingKnowsImportantSometimesSeemsKidsParentWonderGoneImportant ThingsWestRudeDisrespectful Author:Amy Chua
“Genghis Khan decreed religious tolerance for all of his conquered peoples. So I think he definitely would approve of our constitutional protections of freedom of religion. I think he would also approve of the way the U.S. has been able to attract talented people from all over the world.” PeopleThinkingWorldWayHas BeensAbleReligiousProtectionToleranceFreedom Of ReligionReligious Tolerance Author:Amy Chua
“Both of my girls have very high self-esteem because they were both able to master certain things; I should think that's good for their confidence.” ThinkingShouldSelfAbleCertainGirlSelf EsteemMastersEsteemMy GirlHigh Self Esteem Author:Amy Chua
“I think if you're a 'tiger parent' early on, you don't need to be a 'helicopter parent' in high school.” IfsThinkingNeedsSchoolParentHigh SchoolTigersHelicopters Author:Amy Chua
“Questioning authority is, I think, a great thing to instill in children. I just didn't have enough of that when I was little.” ThinkingChildrenLittlesEnoughAuthorityGreat ThingsQuestioningInstill Author:Amy Chua
“Happiness is not always through success. Equally, the constant pursuit of success is sure unhappiness. But we have to find the balance. My own thoughts are that parenting is very personal. And we all feel enormous insecurity about parenting. What are they going to think of us 20 years down the line?” ThinkingFeelsYearsLinesMy OwnBalanceConstantPursuitEnormousInsecurityUnhappiness Author:Amy Chua
“When I was little, my parents really only wanted me to be a scientist or a doctor; they had never even heard of law school. I think even these days if you were to tell your mother you want to be a fashion designer, or an artist or a writer, a lot of Asian parents would be alarmed because they don't think that's a secure career.” IfsThinkingWantLittlesWould BeWantedSchoolLawMotherArtistParentCareersHeardFashionDoctorsScientistSecureThese DaysDesignerAsianFashion DesignerLaw School Author:Amy Chua
“I'm a proud strict mom and, you know, I'm really proud of the two daughters I've raised. And I'm especially proud of my relationship with them. We're very close. I think we're good friends.” ThinkingKnowsTwoMotherMomProudDaughterRaisedGood FriendStrictTwo Daughters Author:Amy Chua
“There are all these new books out there portraying Asian mothers as scheming, callous, overdriven people indifferent to their kids' true interests. For their part, many Chinese secretly believe that they care more about their children and are willing to sacrifice much more for them than Westerners, who seem perfectly content to let their children turn out badly. I think it's a misunderstanding on both sides. All decent parents want to do what's best for their children. The Chinese just have a totally different idea of how to do that.” PeopleThinkingWantBelieveChildrenBookIdeasDifferentSeemsCareKidsMotherTurnsParentSidesInterestSacrificeWillingChineseDecentIndifferentBoth SidesMisunderstandingAsianNew BooksPortrayingWesternersCallousDifferent Ideas Author:Amy Chua
