M and whole through my friend Amalia Bonelli of Argentina in the press release of the book on how to educate children written by Amy Chua, professor at the School of Law Yale University, so I decide to write the entry that I wrote when the news appeared in the English press a couple of months (see here ). The first thing you notice is that a book on education written by an economist child have as much impact. This is not an isolated event because with We often see how characters outside the world turn psycho education debate, which does not seem bad to me, as a matter of both social significance should be open to opinion and argument. However, it is striking that the discourses that are more media coverage usually comes from professionals in other fields, in this case of an economist.
Chua's book has all the ingredients to be controversial, as this daughter of Asian immigrants born in the U.S. makes it sorpendentes statements such as that children must be educated in a strict discipline and discourages activities stay overnight home of some friends, watch TV, play on the computer or take part in plays at school. Instead, they should play the piano or violin, and no other instruments, as only these two forge character (no doubt, that to be practicing several hours a day instead of socializing must trace: in children, and in the neighbors).
The opinions of the controversial author have been a direct attack on some ideas about early childhood education that are widespread in North America, and the importance of building self-esteem, unconditional support, the search for their welfare above their achievements ... etc. It is difficult make conclusive statements about our affluent societies if parents show an excess of permissiveness and conformity with their children, but even if that were the case, the proposal of the "mother tiger" is obviously exaggerated and some perverse effects side more than likely. Studies on the effects of parenting styles on child development and education are abundant and empirical evidence gained from them can make some statements more reliable than those based solely on personal experience.
First, it should be clear that parents are those that combine the support and affection with the control maturity and the demands of those who best promote competition and adjustment of their children. A loving relationship between parents and children are the best predictor of good mental health in adolescence and adulthood.
Second, authoritarian styles such as "mother tiger" can generate obedient and conformist personalities that adapt well to certain school contexts, but also cause major emotional problems. Considering that WHO foresees that depressive disorders will become the next decades in the s disease with greater impact and social burden in developed countries, we will be teaching a generation with good results in PISA but emotionally ill. Question of priorities.
Thirdly, the cultural context is a factor that moderates the causal relationship between parental style and child development. Thus, it was found that authoritarian styles may be less devastating effects on society in the western Asian, so it's not as easy to move a model of parenting a social context to another country. Relationships between adults and children / adolescents are very different in the East (much more distant, authoritarian and hierarchical) and West (closer and egalitarian).
Finally, must have the personality and infant temperament, which is also an important factor in moderating the effectiveness of parenting styles. It is possible that the treatment received by Amy Chua, and if the child has become more resistant to persevere in the effort and endure the frustrations and failures, but this has undermined their emotional adjustment. But I doubt that all children react the same way. In some cases this pressure and demanding discipline can lead directly to psychological maladjustment rather than resilience.
have transcended No data on the mental health of the Yale professor or his daughter, but his business competition for making high profits to a handful of more or less naive ideas about the education of children not doubt me.
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