Japanese Parents
October 2, 2008
I gave my kids their first math test last week. I've been watching their work and I thought that they were ready and I don't believe in coaching for tests either.
They got their tests back and they did well for the most part, but there was one student that really got me thinking.
I have all the students bring their tests home, have their parents sign them, and do the problems they got wrong over a gain.
One kid got 2 wrong--90%. I thought he did pretty well. but when he gave me his test today it had his mom's name printed in obviously his handwriting in pencil.
I just can't imagine parents in the west [America] having so much interest in their childrens' schooling that they could scare the kids that much. On the other hand: is this too much?
16 complaints:
That is scary. Unfortunately there are too many parents here in the States who care very little about their child's education.
Maybe he was just scared to admit that he forgot to show it to his parents?
I believe that Asians generally believe that education is a social leveler and that explains parents' interest (or obsession) in their kids' education.
I recall that, as a kid, I was so terrified when I scored 95% due to one careless mistake. My mum gave me a good whacking (I was only 8), which I have not forgotten till now.
Woe betide the kid whose parents got called up by the school to have a 'discussion' about his/her academic progress.
Well, on hindsight, she taught me the only way that she knew. It could have worse... she could have let me run wild in the streets....
@ CK. Oh, that is... interesting. In Western society that would be seen as too strict but I have heard that Asian families are much stricter. I guess if that what is seen as normal then who are we to question it?
asians do have huge obsession toward education. a lot of them equate grades to good future which is something that's kinda disturbing for me...
i had a student before, he got 98% in his exams and he ranked 2nd in the whole city!!
but he was still sad about it, he told me if it's not number 1 then it's senseless, that's what his dad told him. sad.
When I shot this post off I was thinking more along the lines of what Tornadoes said, that too few parents in the States care enough. And yeah, it could have been that he forgot to show his mom as well.
After writing this I realized that once in 6th grade I got 6 A's and 1 B, and I was asked why they weren't all A's. That had a negative effect on me.
I'm not Asian. My parents still cared about my marks and they do now too even though I'm in university already. I'd say people here (I'm in Canada) are either too uncaring or too overprotective!
Well, now I'm starting to find the other "western-style" parents.
This brings to mind the 3 horrible encounters I had with my Dad every school term - signing the report card. He always gave an earful when the results are average n refuses to sign the card. That always meant punishment from the teachers no matter what the truth is, followed by more agony of asking my Dad to meet with the teachers who wants an answer.
Looking back, I think our elders could hv treated us with kindness n understanding. Kids thrived on encouragement n warm support instead of cold reprimands.
Well Thomas, why dont u correct mistakes in class, so ur kids could learn from it collectively. Let ur kids discover n learn in a fun environment. They will be grateful to u for that I'm sure :-)
I want to make sure the parents know how their kids are doing. That's the theory in having them sign the tests.
The kids also have to redo any problems they got wrong.
I enjoyed your article and included it in my Blog Carnival (seen at http://cindyking.biz/international-marketer-review-blog-carnival-20/) .
Also, I stumbled this post
I live in France and realized that every country has their own issue with schools and how kids work at school and do homework.
Lived in Japan, but before I had kids.
Stumbled.
Wow. Thank you both.
In Kazakhstan threatening to call parents and tell them their grades is the only effective punishment. Parents are incredibly obsessive and one mistake on a test can get students beaten!
@ kzblog: Hahaha. I'd love to see them try that in the UK. You're not even allowed to raise your voice to kids here, nevermind threaten them in any way. Very, very mollycoddled.
I am wondering if you called the child's parent after you rec'd this. ALso, I had that same experience w/ my dad when I thought my report card was great so I know it wasn't me that said that to you T.
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