What aspects of parenting do American parents generally excel at? One significant merit is the emphasis on self-expression. Post-Baby Boomer American parents tend to prioritize allowing children to voice their thoughts and feelings. This concept extends to freedom of expression, akin to freedom of speech, a privilege that many take for granted. This freedom is a cornerstone of how my generation and those that follow are reshaping society and, in many ways, transforming the world.
Children who are permitted to express themselves often engage in what might seem like less productive pursuits, such as coding or constructing computers, rather than solely focusing on traditional academic work. Their parents foster this creativity rather than confining them to a rigid academic schedule.
Contrast this with the archetype of the “Tiger Parent,” a term that refers to strict Asian-American and Asian parents who meticulously oversee their children’s activities. Tiger Parents tend to hover, ensuring their children are engaged in productive pursuits, often viewing unstructured activities as wasteful.
Consider the success stories of Microsoft, Apple, PayPal, and Facebook—products of a particular kind of self-expression that might not align with the structured learning favored by Tiger Parents. To them, such ventures can seem frivolous.
However, it is essential to recognize the cultural roots of the Tiger Parent mentality. Parents who impose strict controls often come from backgrounds where expressing oneself can lead to severe consequences, including imprisonment or worse. In Western societies, Tiger Parents may appear obsessive or overly controlling, but their behavior is often a reflection of the realities from which they come.
In cultures where direct expression can be dangerous, individuals often resort to coded language or double meanings to convey their thoughts safely. In contrast, American parents typically do not face the same restrictions, allowing them to encourage their children to take risks and be pioneers in various fields. They can support their children in exploring their identities in ways that may be impossible in more restrictive environments.
Overall, American parents generally fulfill their roles effectively, just as parents in other cultures do within their contexts. The diversity of parenting styles in the U.S. highlights the permissiveness of our society, allowing for ongoing debates about the best approaches to parenting.
As I navigate my own parenting journey, I realize that the notion of “doing it right” is subjective and influenced by cultural and contextual factors. Perhaps I’m justifying my own missteps and the many more I will undoubtedly make in my parenting venture. But it is what it is.
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Summary
This article discusses the strengths of American parenting, particularly in fostering self-expression, and contrasts it with the strict methods of Tiger Parents, whose approaches often stem from cultural backgrounds where freedom of expression is severely limited. It emphasizes that there is no universal way to parent effectively, as styles are shaped by societal norms and contexts.