Reflection on Assignment-Draft 1

After discussing Amy Chua's article with a larger group, I am definitely more comfortable with mapping out my argument for the next piece. The group overall agreed that Chua's piece fails to provide any solid and plausible arguments, thus downplaying the significance of her article, to that of a rant. Also, I found it interesting how some members of the group hinted at how Chua's tone throughout the article was somewhat ethnocentric. Perhaps what burned the group most was Chua's attempt to speak on the behalf of all Chinese parents, as if her values universally applied to all those who come from the same culture. It was a very bold attempt that comes off as condescending, in my opinion. My overall view of Chua is sort mixed, if you will. On one hand, I agree that instilling "old world" values in children can encourage a child to excel in school, however I reject Chua's notion that it is the only way to raise a child effectively. As a writer, she failed to acknowledge other methods of parenting without passing negative judgment. In other words, she bashes the opposition (i.e. her husband), as opposed to actually disproving them.