Battle Hymn of a Tiger Mother

This is a book about the unconventional method of a Chinese mother in raising her daughters in the land of the USA.

The mother, Amy Chua, is the daughter of a prominent chaos theory professor whose famous circuit is named after him (Chua's circuit). Currently, she is a professor of law at Yale University, USA.

She was raised in the traditional Chinese way where education and sucess comes first before anything else. she was taught that it is not okay to be performing well -- instead, there is a greater need to outperform everybody. This is reflected in her story where her father, Professor Chua, was not happy that she came second in a competition. To Amy's father, it is a big embarrassment to be a runner-up and to cine second in any competition. This goes on to show that the Chinese is a "kiasu" lot, meaning that they do not want to fall behind others. They are taught to be the best.

Anyway, this book is a self-autobiography of a mother (Amy) who was born in the year of Tiger, according to ancient Chinese calendar. The book focuses much on her unconventional way of raising her daughters. Perhaps, because she was born in the year of the Tiger, she was stern, strict and absolutely firm in raising her daughters. Tigers are after all, a feared creature who exhibits fierce and triumphs.

In my opinion, if the Westerners are to read this book, they will feel disturbed and shocked at the way Amy raises her children.

Many westerners, I find, am not used to the harsh methods of raising children. The Asians of the past are quite strict in bringing-up their children. Punitive acts such as slapping, kicking, beating with belts and kettle's wire were norms for Asian kids. It could be said that if Asian kids did not experience in getting beaten up by their parents in the past, then they are not Asians.

But in western land, these acts are strictly prohibited and they always invoke children's right whenever such cases appear. For example, if you beat your children in Western countries, Child Services could revoke your paternal right in raising your kids. You might even be taken to the court for such actions!

After reading this book, I can see where Amy is coming from. In the past (as I have been told by my students), Chinese people always suffer from hardship; and it is for this very reason that they work hard in order to be successful in their life and overcoming hard life.

In the case of Amy, her family migrated from China to seek opportunities in the USA. Her past experiences in adapting with the local culture and the need to be successful is perhaps her main drive in inculcating strict and stern methods of raising the daughters.

From her book, I find that the Chinese is a hardworking lot: they always strive for their best and they want to be the best among the rest. Everything about Chinese is succinctly explained in this book and I for once do not hesitate to recommend this book to those who have not read this book.

But beware, some of her methods in raising her young teenage children is unconventional -- it may invoke you to become angry at her way of doing her things, but in the end, you can appreciate the product of Amy's way in raising her children. After all, her methods are not uncommon: come to Asia and you'll hear many similar stories.

This book is certainly suitable for mothers who are looking for a tiger's way in dealing with children of these days and age. It is also highly recommended for the non-Chinese who are interested in knowing the unconventional Chinese way of parenting.