From our textbook, there are three major parenting styles: permissive, authoritarian and authoritative. Permissive parents give their children almost absolute freedom and praise children very often. Authoritarian parents are extremely strict with their children, punish them frequently and barely praise their children. Authoritative parents are combination of the other two types. They respond properly to their children. Also, some people believe there is one more style called uninvolved, which refers to parents who do not pay much attention to their children.
One limitation of the theory is culture differences. China's "Tiger Mother", Amy Chua, wrote a book titled "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother." This controversial book gives rise to a debate to western and eastern parenting styles. It is true that American parents have diverse and less harsh parenting styles. As a girl grown up in typically collectivist culture, I agree with the authors that the differences of three major parenting styles are not so obvious in my home country. Most Chinese parents are very strict with their children. Physical punishment is very common, especially when children are in primary school. Luckily, my parents are authoritative. But their parenting style is controversial among their friends. I think the reason is that Chinese population is huge, and we have one child policy. Therefore, parents always want their children to be the best and win out the competition. Also, obedience to parents and older family members is strongly encouraged as a tradition. So, I think most Chinese parents are authoritarian and authoritative, or the combination of both.
Kitty or Tiger?
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chinese psychology--and eastern psychology in general--should be seen as totally different from western psychology. it's like you said that china has a much more collective society, and because of that children are expected to meet certain requirements without fail, such as doing well in school.
it's interesting to note as an example of a difference between eastern and western psychology that there are no where near as many diagnosis of mental disease in eastern cultures. why this is isn't exactly certain, but it has been related to the more collective society seen in the east.
It's interesting to see the perspectives of someone from a different culture, and the reasons for why you think China has a different way of raising their children. Do you feel that because you were raised differently than your peers in China, you had a different experience or childhood? Do you think there are positives to being raised in an authoritarian manner? Also, I was also wondering if the number of children families have influence the upbringing. It would be interesting to learn more about how other cultures with more or less children, or with different values raise their children, and how the upbringings of the children impact their personalities. What are the differences between children raised in authoritative families in China, versus authoritarian children from the United States?
It's interesting to see your native viewpoint on the subject. Do you feel that authoritarian parenting styles yield better results in children's success as well as obedience to elders then the style you received growing up? I also find it interesting that the one child policy could play into a general trend of parenting styles.