Once I recovered from my disappointment at reading the title, wishing I had used it first . . . smile . . . I very much enjoyed reading this new book and recommend it wholeheartedly.
The take-away I find most compelling is that no one country’s parenting practices are perfect. There is something to admire and emulate in each culture. Some traditions are good, some not so good. Some new practices are beneficial, some detrimental, to children’s healthy development.
Gross-Loh reports that a fair number of Korean families bring their pre-teen and teenage children to the US to attend American schools in order to acquire some of the free spirit and creativity we encourage in our kids. Looking the other way across the Pacific, I would say that American parents could and should, to our own and our children’s benefit, adopt Asian families’ expectations regarding showing respect to elders and taking regular, consistent responsibility for their own self care and for household duties. Simply, manners matter and chores are a good idea!