Status Updates From The Hybrid Tiger

"Spanking implies love without saying it outright. Not saying love directly implies love. What a unique [Chinese] cultural phenomenon," So why does the mom now feel compelled to say, "we love you" with the son off to college and why does the dad encourage and remind her when she forgets? Is that hybrid too? Or is it being afraid to embrace American culture?

I can embrace the value of family dinners. I don't think this is solely Chinese tradition though. Too many generalizations in this book.

With the criticism to praise ratio being so high and Huang pointing out the improvements needed most often while withholding praise, is it any wonder that Yan, his son, chose to play tennis in his sophomore year of school...a sport his father knew nothing about (and could not criticize)?

The concept of "guan" sounds like extreme helicopter parenting to me.

"Happiness is always connected to competition." Ugh, I can't buy into this book at all. For example, make that statement to a parent of newborns...I really doubt they sense competition in the act of childbirth and yet are probably quite elated to be holding their child they have been waiting to meet since learning of being pregnant. The superlatives in this book are just too much.

"Through education, and education alone, man could exceed his own fate and rewrite his own part in the powerful play of life, perhaps achieving a destiny that even heaven could not envision."

Two primary characteristics of Chinese-American parenting: "the internalization of the 'American Dream' and the synergizing of Chinese and American cultures."

I love the quote Mr Quanyu says; Thinking at an abnormally high level, these kids weren't afraid to think independently, Nor were they afraid to voice their questions and challenge their teachers.

There were some interesting facts and opinions in this book comparing Chinese, Asian - American, and American styles of parenting regarding education and child - rearing. Much of it could have been said in a book half the length. I'm not sure if it was useful, but it was interesting from a cultural and sociological perspective.

Okay, I can't actually review this until I grab a copy of "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother" from the library, because I'm pretty sure he misquotes and misrepresents her but I have to check.