Battle Hymn of Tiger Mother

In general,I thinkWestern parenting gives children too much freedom at too young an age.Theaverage American child spends almost 70 percent more time watching

television thanattending school.In the recent PISA international tests,the US came out anembarrassing 23rd in science and 34th in math一with Shanghai children ranked No

Western childrenhave alarming rates of alcohol and drug abuse and teenage pregnancy,too.On theother hand,American universities continue to be the envy of the

world,and the USexcels at teaching creativity,innovation and leadership.

What are the lessonsfor China then?Here are afew things Chinamay be able to learn from the West.

First,while childrenin the West have too much choice,their counterparts in China may have too little.Inbetween school,tutoring and lessons,many Chinese children work

nonstop,gettinglittle opportunity to have fun with friends,explore on their own and discoverwhat they truly enjoy.What I learned is that as children grow up,parents should

listen to theirchoices more carefully and gradually

give them morefreedom to pursue their own passions.

Second,Chineseparents should pay more attention to their children's individual personalities.Every child is different. So depending on children's natural predispositions（秉

性）,differentcareer paths will make them happy. Some people may find it more fulfilling tobecome a photographer or fashion designer instead of a doctor. If Chinese

parents become moreopen-minded in what they consider"success",it may help lessen the intensecompetition and pressure that many Chinese children feel.

Finally,Chineseparents are good at getting their children to memorize,practice and drill一skills I believe the West needs moreof一but they should also find ways to

encourage creativityand initiative.My daughters were lucky because my husband taught them the valueof independent thinking. He always asked"why".Just because

someone told youso,how do you know it's right?

Parenting is thehardest job I've ever had.When Lulu rebelled and I began questioning everythingI'd done.I feel very lucky that I adjusted in time一today my daughters and I

are close friends一and I wanted to share my story withother mothers,because we are all struggling with the same problem:how can weraise happy,strong,self-reliant

children?Children in theWest have more choice in deciding weather they would like to go to college ornot.

A.Right

B.Wrong

C.Not mentioned