The Tiger Mother Conversation Continues With And About Amy Chua

It's getting interesting out there.

New York Times weighs in.

In the week since The Wall Street Journal published an excerpt of the new book by Amy Chua, a Yale law professor, under the headline “Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior,” Ms. Chua has received death threats, she says, and “hundreds, hundreds” of e-mails. The excerpt generated more than 5,000 comments on the newspaper’s Web site, and countless blog entries referring in shorthand to “that Tiger Mother.” Some argued that the parents of all those Asians among Harvard’s chosen few must be doing something right; many called Ms. Chua a “monster” or “nuts” — and a very savvy provocateur.

From academe, Mama PhD wrings her hands a bit, because as a therapist, she gets to deal with the damaged adult children of over-the-top parents. And, she has points to make as well.

At least, and at last, Dr. Chua's book is getting a real debate going about an issue no one wants to talk about--the hard grind that successful parenting truly is, whether one is a Tiger Mom or not.

In fairness, (and since OS's copy has not yet arrived), it is good to note the extended subtitle of the book.

This is a story about a mother, two daughters, and two dogs.

This was supposed to be a story of how Chinese parents are better at raising kids than Western ones.

But instead, it's about a bitter clash of cultures, a fleeting taste of glory, and how I was humbled by a thirteen-year-old.

OS is so happy to see the discussion taking place. Keep it up, ever'body!