Amy Chua, Tiger Mother...
Sarah Palin -self described Mama Grizzly
This one is kicking up a bit of a storm… And while Palin isn’t involved in this one in any way (or with the death threats against Chua made by folks likely not associated with, or motivated by either Palin or her followers) – you can’t escape her “Mama Grizzly” imagery of American motherhood as a contrast…
Strict, Controversial Parenting Style Leads to Death Threats for ‘Tiger Mother’ Amy Chua
Amy Chua calls herself a “Tiger Mother” because of her strict parenting methods that didn’t allow for play dates, sleepovers or choice in extra-curricular activities for her two daughters.
But her essay in the Wall Street Journalhas made her one of the most talked-about – and criticized mothers – in the blogosphere.
On January 8, the newspaper published excerpts of her book in an article titled “Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior.” The Internet erupted in a firestorm of outrage over the piece, in which she described how she belitted one daughter — calling her “garbage,” and threatened to withhold food and bathroom breaks from the other if the 7-year-old didn’t play the piano perfectly.
The outrage is so intense that Chua has even gotten death threats, according to reports…
The controversy over Chua’s book, “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother,” heated up further on Saturday when Ayelet Waldman, a Jewish author and mother, responded with her essay, entitled “In Defense of the Guilty, Ambivalent, Preoccupied Western Mom.”
Waldman’s essay humorously outlines differences between what she sees as the lackadaisical approach taken by western mothers and the strict regimen Chinese mothers use on their children that Chua discusses.
The first Wall Street Journal piece, which took excerpts from Chua’s parenting memoir “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother,” ignited a heated debate across the Internet, with critics claiming that the book advocates abusive parenting, while others asserted that it would lead to xenophobia and feed China haters.
Aided by the controversy, “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother” reached the No. 6 slot in the Amazon sales rankings on Tuesday, the day it was released.
Btx3's Blog 
brotherbrown
January 18, 2011 at 8:25 AM
I don’t get the death threats…unless they were from the daughters. ;o)
I do wonder if Tiger Mother is simply rearing her daughters to become desirable as wives of white men, which is what I suspect is the case.
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Roderick
January 18, 2011 at 9:31 AM
Well in this day and age she put herself out there to be criticized.
Granted the alleged death threats are over the top but it shouldn’t be a surprise in the age of the internet where one can post anonymously.
Also I don’t understand why you believe she is grooming her daughters to be married to white men.
I always thought that most white men who married Asian women were looking for a woman who made more than they did.
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brotherbrown
January 19, 2011 at 8:53 AM
What I see her teaching her daughters to be is subservient and obedient above all. I don’t see where all that special chinese mothering has created leadership qualities. They might be smart and accomplished, but cloistered as well. Little China Dolls locked in the vanity.
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brotherbrown
January 20, 2011 at 9:07 AM
Roderick, it turns out the Tiger Mother is married to a white man. So Typical.
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nanakwame
January 18, 2011 at 8:34 AM
Anything so-called Western vs. Asian is going to get sutpid. Ms Chua made some arrogant mistakes, but she is really no different than the Euro middle class. This will not end with Chua
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