From the Readers

Give children their childhood

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-02-14 07:46

Comment on "Tiger Mom hears roar of opposition" (China Daily, Jan 26)

Chinese children suffer mentally because of parents like "Tiger Mom" Amy Chua. An advocate of strict Chinese parenting, she argues that the Chinese approach creates smarter people. This is probably true, but to become "smart" youngsters have to sacrifice their creativity and happiness.

Small children may not feel like studying immediately after school. They would prefer to play outside, and it is for the parents to provide a flexible environment to allow, as well as encourage such behavior. Parents shouldn't deprive their children of a childhood they have the right to enjoy. Children must develop their own ideas and ways of dealing with difficult situations. Learning from one's mistakes is an integral part of a person's growing-up process. Parents should steer children in the right direction and give the right guidance. As the author of the article in China Daily says, "parents should believe that children are able and flexible".

Like their counterparts in other parts of the world, Chinese parents have to respect their "children's rights to have a happy and playful childhood", and relaxation and proper physical exercise are the key to building such an environment. To "foster smart, creative, and physically and mentally healthy children", Chinese parents should combine Western-style parenting with the traditional Chinese way. This type of "open and democratic" parenting will help children to be not only scholastically inclined, but also socially capable.

Caroline Tyson, via e-mail

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