From talented young musicians to super achieving students at the top of their class, have you ever wondered why so many Asian kids seem to be so successful? Is tough love by Asian parents the answer? It is, says author Amy Chua, who set off a storm of controversy which made the media pouting what she called the “tiger mother method of strict parenting”. “Amy Chua doesn’t believe in play dates, sleepovers. She even threatened to burn her daughter’s stuffed animals if she doesn’t play the piano perfectly.”
While the book shot to the top of the bestseller list, the criticism of hard-core Asian parenting has been fierce. So we wonder whether people will be as vocal if they encounter a tough tiger mother in person. So we gave our actors, Rachael and Misha, a scenario straight from the pages of the Tiger Mother book. An “A-” is a bad grade. A tiger mother can order her kids to get perfect grades. “A minus? It’s just like an F. In our family, everybody gets an A! That’s unacceptable.”
We set up our hidden cameras at City Limits Diner, a popular restaurant in White Plains, New York, and we wait for reactions.
-- “We’ve been through this [for] how many times. It’s ridiculous! Nobody in our family gets an A minus. Period.”
-- “A minus?”
Remarkably, it only takes a few minutes for diners to step in.
-- “Can I say something, please? I work with children. And speaking to her that way is not going to help her.”
-- “I want her to be excellent. That’s why I am doing this.”
As the harsh homework session goes on, the woman is clearly disturbed.
-- “Do you have a pencil? We gotta do this right now.”
And it’s also upsetting to this woman.
-- “As a mother of four, this is really bad for me.”
-- “I’m sorry, but it is not what you think. (to the daughter) You embarrassed me in public like this.”
-- “You are embarrassing her in public. It’s very upsetting. It’s me, not only her.”
-- “I apologize.”
As soon as the mother leaves the table, the concerned woman jumps in at the opportunity to check in on the young girl.
-- “Sweetheart, look at me. Is it the way your mom treats you all the time?”
-- “She just wants me to be perfect.”
-- “But if you ever feel that you are in danger in any way, dial 911, okay? Remember that.”
When the tiger mother returns, she tries to explain her parenting philosophy.
-- “I just want her to be the best.”
-- “Sometimes I just can’t control this. You know, she’s right, she’s absolutely gorgeous. I mean, an A minus is still pretty good.”
-- “Nah, it’s not.”
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