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I am so glad that the Chinese also see value in freedom and creativity. I believe that it is our advertising, name brand culture that is the culprit in our system. Not the freedom and creativity that we give our children.

The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother is an interesting novel. I have read about half and am looking for to a long weekend to finish it off. What I find most interesting so far is that the author is directing her attention to the way parents think and act based on their culture not on the actual school the child attends.

Although the author researched and pick the best schools in the area the girls are not attending strictly Chinese based private school, even their private music lessons are not really based on Chinese philosophy. Instead, she bases her novel and philosophy of parenting on what she calls the Chinese method. She does allows that she has met non Chinese parents, who the characteristics of a Chinese mother. Her theory is based on the attitude of the mother and the actions taken based on that attitude.

Where as I don't necessary agree with all of her practices like 3 to 4 hours of music lessons a day. I do agree and practice the philosophy that my children (2 daughters like the author) can do their best. I believe that doing your best is demonstrated by doing all they can do to be successful. For instance the other night when by daughter was preparing me for a lower than to be expected grade in math, we discussed a zero in work ethnic because she did not complete the final problem given for homework. I did question her about it and why she received it. Her reasoning was because she didn't know how to do it. My response was "Who did you ask for help?" No one, which was her answer was not acceptable, because she didn't do all she could do.

This philosophy does not differ much from the words of Bill Crosby in the Pound Cake speech or in Calvin Mackey's presentation that I had the pleasure of hearing several years ago.

Yes, child should play. They should be in plays. They should spend amazing amounts in mud, puddles and finger painting. They should be able to do these things free from pressure and for pure joy. But they should also be taught that they have a responsibility to themselves, their family and their society to prepare themselves to be the best Robin, Peter, Mary, Detonaye, Maggie etc.. There family and their community has the right to expect that of them and the responsibility to follow up behind them at every step to make sure it happens. This is how they learn responsibility, follow through, self contentment, and happiness. This is our responsibility to being good parents and raising individual who replace the Edison, Fords and Gates of this country to help it maintain the economic, political, societal strength we are accustom to.

Here's a link to an article withthe Author. Seem's a bit of a hornet's nest has been stirred.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/tiger-mom-amy-chua-controversial-book-parenting-guide/story?id=12767305

It is not uncommon for those from other countries to look at the seeming "progress" of the United States and long to be in the "free society" full of "creativity" and "independence". Some of those same dreamers then get to America and are surprised when they lose their children to drugs, alcohol, violence, and moral decay.

While I did not agree with everything the Tiger Mom had to say, I did agree with the majority of it. "Western" parents are raising children for whom manners are optional, and "Respect" is an old R & B classic. Math scores are just one of many indicators of Western failure. Anger, reverse blame, justification, and defense of idiotic parenting practices are others.

p.s. To my comment that Montessori education can increase children's abilities in math, science and reading, I most definitely should have added: while encouraging and developing independence and creativity.