[OT] WSJ: “Why Chinese Mothers are Superior”

[sunny88]

[quote=Allan from Fallbrook]Well, at the risk of sounding politically incorrect or racist: One of my strongest memories regarding performance on the SAT was hearing comments from black students who did poorly and Asian students who did poorly.

Black students: “The test is racially biased”.

Asian students: “I need to study harder”.

I went to Catholic school/high school in the SF/Bay Area and participated in one of the most academically rigorous programs there (St. Francis High School in Mountain View). The toughest competition I can recall, when it came to things like AP courses, Speech & Debate, etc, came from Asian kids. I was raised with a very Midwestern German work ethic and taught from a young age about academic and athletic excellence and hard work, but they were at a completely different level.

It’s sad, really, because the now old-fashioned American virtues of study, hard work and self-sacrifice, which made this country such a great success, are in critically short supply amongst American youth.[/quote]

Political correctness is one of the major reasons why progress is so slow. We should all be able to tell the truth no matter how painful it is.

[stockstradr]

Black students: “The test is racially biased”.

Asian students: “I need to study harder”.

I very much agree with this point.

[stockstradr]

Black students: “The test is racially biased”.

Asian students: “I need to study harder”.

I very much agree with this point.

[stockstradr]

Black students: “The test is racially biased”.

Asian students: “I need to study harder”.

I very much agree with this point.

[stockstradr]

Black students: “The test is racially biased”.

Asian students: “I need to study harder”.

I very much agree with this point.

[stockstradr]

Black students: “The test is racially biased”.

Asian students: “I need to study harder”.

I very much agree with this point.

[Coronita]

I think the key is to strike a fine balance. My sibling worked hard and played hard. She’s very successful in life. I just worked hard, and had no life and not nearly as successful.

If the goal in life is in a so-so “average” profession, I believe that social skills are far more important than capabilities.

IF the goal in life is to be in a field requiring specialization/etc, then perhaps you can sort of punt on the social skills.

You kinda can’t be a all talk and no action (up to a point) and you kinda can’t be an all doer and no talk, otherwise you won’t get noticed.

I personally don’t really like some of the aspects of asian influence that parents have brought over to the states. For example, putting kids into enrichment programs starting at age 4-5… It’s getting way too extreme imho. And guess what? Asian parents aren’t the only ones doing it….My neighbors (non asian) have been sending their 4 year old to “kumon” for a few hours. And although I didn’t say anything, I was thinking, you’ve got to be kidding me…

Me, I took the lazy approach, and took TG’s advice and bought some cool math games on an ipad. Kid doesn’t want to put it down…. 🙂

[Coronita]

I think the key is to strike a fine balance. My sibling worked hard and played hard. She’s very successful in life. I just worked hard, and had no life and not nearly as successful.

If the goal in life is in a so-so “average” profession, I believe that social skills are far more important than capabilities.

IF the goal in life is to be in a field requiring specialization/etc, then perhaps you can sort of punt on the social skills.

You kinda can’t be a all talk and no action (up to a point) and you kinda can’t be an all doer and no talk, otherwise you won’t get noticed.

I personally don’t really like some of the aspects of asian influence that parents have brought over to the states. For example, putting kids into enrichment programs starting at age 4-5… It’s getting way too extreme imho. And guess what? Asian parents aren’t the only ones doing it….My neighbors (non asian) have been sending their 4 year old to “kumon” for a few hours. And although I didn’t say anything, I was thinking, you’ve got to be kidding me…

Me, I took the lazy approach, and took TG’s advice and bought some cool math games on an ipad. Kid doesn’t want to put it down…. 🙂

[Coronita]

I think the key is to strike a fine balance. My sibling worked hard and played hard. She’s very successful in life. I just worked hard, and had no life and not nearly as successful.

If the goal in life is in a so-so “average” profession, I believe that social skills are far more important than capabilities.

IF the goal in life is to be in a field requiring specialization/etc, then perhaps you can sort of punt on the social skills.

You kinda can’t be a all talk and no action (up to a point) and you kinda can’t be an all doer and no talk, otherwise you won’t get noticed.

I personally don’t really like some of the aspects of asian influence that parents have brought over to the states. For example, putting kids into enrichment programs starting at age 4-5… It’s getting way too extreme imho. And guess what? Asian parents aren’t the only ones doing it….My neighbors (non asian) have been sending their 4 year old to “kumon” for a few hours. And although I didn’t say anything, I was thinking, you’ve got to be kidding me…

Me, I took the lazy approach, and took TG’s advice and bought some cool math games on an ipad. Kid doesn’t want to put it down…. 🙂

[Coronita]

I think the key is to strike a fine balance. My sibling worked hard and played hard. She’s very successful in life. I just worked hard, and had no life and not nearly as successful.

If the goal in life is in a so-so “average” profession, I believe that social skills are far more important than capabilities.

IF the goal in life is to be in a field requiring specialization/etc, then perhaps you can sort of punt on the social skills.

You kinda can’t be a all talk and no action (up to a point) and you kinda can’t be an all doer and no talk, otherwise you won’t get noticed.

I personally don’t really like some of the aspects of asian influence that parents have brought over to the states. For example, putting kids into enrichment programs starting at age 4-5… It’s getting way too extreme imho. And guess what? Asian parents aren’t the only ones doing it….My neighbors (non asian) have been sending their 4 year old to “kumon” for a few hours. And although I didn’t say anything, I was thinking, you’ve got to be kidding me…

Me, I took the lazy approach, and took TG’s advice and bought some cool math games on an ipad. Kid doesn’t want to put it down…. 🙂

[Coronita]

I think the key is to strike a fine balance. My sibling worked hard and played hard. She’s very successful in life. I just worked hard, and had no life and not nearly as successful.

If the goal in life is in a so-so “average” profession, I believe that social skills are far more important than capabilities.

IF the goal in life is to be in a field requiring specialization/etc, then perhaps you can sort of punt on the social skills.

You kinda can’t be a all talk and no action (up to a point) and you kinda can’t be an all doer and no talk, otherwise you won’t get noticed.

I personally don’t really like some of the aspects of asian influence that parents have brought over to the states. For example, putting kids into enrichment programs starting at age 4-5… It’s getting way too extreme imho. And guess what? Asian parents aren’t the only ones doing it….My neighbors (non asian) have been sending their 4 year old to “kumon” for a few hours. And although I didn’t say anything, I was thinking, you’ve got to be kidding me…

Me, I took the lazy approach, and took TG’s advice and bought some cool math games on an ipad. Kid doesn’t want to put it down…. 🙂

[Allan from Fallbrook]

[quote=sunny88]
Political correctness is one of the major reasons why progress is so slow. We should all be able to tell the truth no matter how painful it is.[/quote]

Sunny: I agree with your assessment, but I think we both know that, in the America of today, frankly speaking one’s mind or stating the truth, is a recipe for disaster.

We’re not prepared (nor are we allowed) to speak the truth, so as not to offend, or make others feel bad, or honestly admit how far this country has fallen, especially when it comes to education, ability and performance.

I have two kids in grade school and it never ceases to amaze me how much effort goes into the “self-esteem” and “self-worth” of the students, and how little effort goes into actually teaching them. Teachers “teach to the test” (essentially gaming the State of California standardized test system, which drives all metrics, especially budgetary dollars). As parents, we’re constantly lectured about “diversity” and “cultural understanding”, but we hear very little about the three “R’s” (Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic).

In the 1960s, the California school system was one of the best in the world. Now look at it. Everyone knows why, but we’re too afraid to say it.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

[quote=sunny88]
Political correctness is one of the major reasons why progress is so slow. We should all be able to tell the truth no matter how painful it is.[/quote]

Sunny: I agree with your assessment, but I think we both know that, in the America of today, frankly speaking one’s mind or stating the truth, is a recipe for disaster.

We’re not prepared (nor are we allowed) to speak the truth, so as not to offend, or make others feel bad, or honestly admit how far this country has fallen, especially when it comes to education, ability and performance.

I have two kids in grade school and it never ceases to amaze me how much effort goes into the “self-esteem” and “self-worth” of the students, and how little effort goes into actually teaching them. Teachers “teach to the test” (essentially gaming the State of California standardized test system, which drives all metrics, especially budgetary dollars). As parents, we’re constantly lectured about “diversity” and “cultural understanding”, but we hear very little about the three “R’s” (Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic).

In the 1960s, the California school system was one of the best in the world. Now look at it. Everyone knows why, but we’re too afraid to say it.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

[quote=sunny88]
Political correctness is one of the major reasons why progress is so slow. We should all be able to tell the truth no matter how painful it is.[/quote]

Sunny: I agree with your assessment, but I think we both know that, in the America of today, frankly speaking one’s mind or stating the truth, is a recipe for disaster.

We’re not prepared (nor are we allowed) to speak the truth, so as not to offend, or make others feel bad, or honestly admit how far this country has fallen, especially when it comes to education, ability and performance.

I have two kids in grade school and it never ceases to amaze me how much effort goes into the “self-esteem” and “self-worth” of the students, and how little effort goes into actually teaching them. Teachers “teach to the test” (essentially gaming the State of California standardized test system, which drives all metrics, especially budgetary dollars). As parents, we’re constantly lectured about “diversity” and “cultural understanding”, but we hear very little about the three “R’s” (Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic).

In the 1960s, the California school system was one of the best in the world. Now look at it. Everyone knows why, but we’re too afraid to say it.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

[quote=sunny88]
Political correctness is one of the major reasons why progress is so slow. We should all be able to tell the truth no matter how painful it is.[/quote]

Sunny: I agree with your assessment, but I think we both know that, in the America of today, frankly speaking one’s mind or stating the truth, is a recipe for disaster.

We’re not prepared (nor are we allowed) to speak the truth, so as not to offend, or make others feel bad, or honestly admit how far this country has fallen, especially when it comes to education, ability and performance.

I have two kids in grade school and it never ceases to amaze me how much effort goes into the “self-esteem” and “self-worth” of the students, and how little effort goes into actually teaching them. Teachers “teach to the test” (essentially gaming the State of California standardized test system, which drives all metrics, especially budgetary dollars). As parents, we’re constantly lectured about “diversity” and “cultural understanding”, but we hear very little about the three “R’s” (Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic).

In the 1960s, the California school system was one of the best in the world. Now look at it. Everyone knows why, but we’re too afraid to say it.

[Author]

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