Did you know that Chinese women have the highest suicide rate in the world and the

rate of suicide among Chinese

men is on the rise? One of the main attributes to this tragedy is the way their parents raised them. All parents have
various ways of raising their child but in the article “Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior” it is showed very unique.
A stereotype when it comes to parenting is that the Chinese seem to produce children who display academic
excellence, musical mastery and professional success (Chua 1). In the book “Rules of the Game” that stereotype has
proven not so accurate. In the article and the book both mothers views of raising their children are diverse.

Self-esteem is one of the main ingredients to lead a successful and happy life. A person with low self-esteem will
change her thoughts and actions to those around her and will have a more then likely chance of committing suicide.
Like in “Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior”, when Amy Chua was little her father called her “garbage” because
she was disrespectful (Chua 2). Although the insults didn’t seem to hurt her because she claims she knew how much
her father loves her (Chua 2). Negative consequences of “shaming” your children can occur, if they don’t live up to
your expectations. A person with high self-esteem will do what he believes in no matter if there is a disagreement,
be willing to take risks and go the extra mile, admit mistakes and learn from them, and realizing that what he did
was excellent. In “Rules of the Game”, Amy Tan wanted to play chess with her brothers but didn’t know how to
play (Tan 308). So Amy studied the books about chess and practice with the group of old men at the park (Tan 308).
By the time she turned nine, she was a national chess champion (Tan 312). In the end, a good self-esteem will bring
rewards that are very pleasing.

Entertainment can be defined as any activity, which allows people to entertain themselves or with other people in
their spare time. Entertainment influences our values, behavior, and thinking. In “Why Chinese Mothers Are
Superior”, Sophia and Louisa were never allowed to: attend a sleepover, have a play date complain about TV or play
computer games, choose their own extracurricular activitities, not be the NO.1 student in every subject except gym
and drama, play any instrument other than the piano or violin, and not play the piano or violin (Chua 1). It is not
right to deny your children’s playtime and the most basic ability to socialize and interact with friends and peers. This
can damage a child’s development. In “Rules of the Game”, Amy is allowed to play outside and pick her own
activities (Tan 306).

The definition of an ambition is a goal that motivates us to accomplish it and move forward in spite of the odds. In
“Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior”, Sophia’s and Louisa’s ambitions are influenced by their mother Amy Chua
(Chua 3). Like when Amy forced Lula into learning a new piano piece. The question is that did Lula really have the
desire to succeed in playing that piece or had no choice but to accomplish the goals her mother already had made for
her (Chua 4). In “Rules of the Game”, Amy’s ambition is to be an excellent chess player. Amy excelled at it all by
her self with no one forcing her to love it (Tan 312).  Every child has the right to decide where they would like to
target their effort toward.

In the article and the book both mothers views of raising their children are diverse. For Chua, who is driving
her children to succeed without any options, I think it is okay to let your children pursue
some of their own desires, and learn to develop their own ambition that comes from a high
self-esteem. As for Tan, it’s important for all children to learn what is a positive personal
relationship is. Finally for both, in order to succeed in this life you need to live more
productive and fulfilled lives.