family-education中美家庭教育比较

精品文档Comparative analysis of Chinese family education and American family education1 Introduction1.1Introduction of the increasing awareness of the importance of family educationRecently there is a book arousing heated discussion about family education in both America and China. When it comes to how to cultivate child in family life, the overwhelming majority of the westerner and the easterner hold opposite opinions and the minor are on the fence. As the prevalent spread of the bookbattle hymn of the tiger mother Amy Chua1 draws numerous attention of parents from all over the world. The westerner are increasingly becoming aware of the demerits of their education system, while the easterner review theirs with scrutiny and seek for a new solution to deprive their children from the enormous pressure originating from study. 1.2 introductions of little womenConcerning family education, we can turn to classic masterpieces which are not only charming but also instructive. Literally speaking, classic works are the accumulation and summary of wise point about the world so that they can blaze our trial before we make a significant decision. Without doubt, the little women set a good example for all parents about how to better their family education. Having four children in one family may be a headache to parents, in that they would be wrapped up with quarrel, cry, and complaint. Whereas to the March, the situation is quiet contrast, for the parents are talent educators. Four girls, vain Meg, decided Jo, timid Beth and self-conceited Amy, add both laughter and sorrow to the March. At the beginning, every girl has her demerits such as laziness, vanity, and childish characters, but after experiencing a series of ups and downs in their live and instructing by their parents, they gradually grow into little women who are fearless and bravely burden any responsibility. The way how Mr. and Mrs., march to educate their children is specific from which modern parents can extract some terrific methods of family education in order to foster the all round development of their own children and narrow the generation gap between parents and kids.Based on the above introduction, it will be easier for us to make an explicit comparison between Chinese and America family education.2 Differences between Chinese Family Education and American Family Education2.1 Attitude and Purpose towards EducationAs the difference of cultural background and concept about personal life pursuit, attitude of the westerner to study greatly distinguishes from that of the easterner. In little women, we get to know the magnificent influence brought by family education. According to Mr. March, the father of four girls, education is to child what water is to fish. “I know they will remember all I told them, that they will do their duty faithfully, fight their enemies bravely, and conquer themselves so beautifully that when I come back I may be fonder and prouder than ever of my little women.”(Louses May Alcott 9) to the march, study is by no means just a way to get rid of poverty, instead, it is absolutely a approach for young people to elevate themselves and develop their interests to the extend. Whats more, Elisabeth considers that through studying hard, the juvenile can not only distinguish the good from the bad but also establish their moral standard.(2009,12) For the sake of keeping every child to find out their interests, the couple insists on encouraging kids to do anything they want. Amys attempt for every branch of art with youthful audacity illustrates her parents tolerance. “The family lived in constant fear of a conflagration, for the odor of burning wood pervaded the house at all hours, red-hot pokers lay about promiscuously.”(Louses May Alcott 90) the situation is undoubtedly perilous, but to our surprise, no blame or discouragement falls onto the head of Amy. On the contrary, she is spurred by her father, “genius is eternal patience” as Michelangelo affirms. While in the book of Amy Chua, a typical Chinese mother confirming that only hard working affects childs improvement, the method of her family education is quiet astonishing. These rules listed are several disciplines she makes for her daughter.1 dont attend a sleepover2 never are allowed to watch TV or play computer game3 never choose their own extracurricular activities4 never get any grade less than an a except gym and drama5 never play any instrument except piano and violinEven when America parents think they are being strict, they usually dont come close to being Chinese mother. According to Dou Zhiwei, to Chinese parents, the aim of study is to achieve greater accomplishment, strive for higher status in society than them, and let their kids follow their steps.(2005,64) Moreover, they put tremendous pressure onto the shoulder of kids and are eager to see their kids dont live up to their expectation. Neither do their stimulate childrens enthusiasm to certain field nor they take childrens interests into consideration. It is a certainty for kids to lose motivation towards study under the strictly restrain from the adult. The youth are gradually losing their imagination and innovation so that they can be nothing but machines following orders. To tell the truth, theres no denying that the purpose for Chinese parents to cultivate their kids is more secular while America parents focus on the nature of kids.2.2 Value about life In the little women, Mr. and Mrs. March are more than usual instructor but also guiders for the youth on how to view the world.2.2.1 Attitude to MoneyWe can quote what aunt March, a worldly cold lady, puts it to evaluate the march, “your parents, my dear, have no more worldly wisdom than a pair of babies.”(Louses May Alcott 73) poor as the March is, they never lose dignity as humble people, for they never complain about wretched saving, nor did they feel desperate under severe situation. “Wealth is certainly a most desirable thing, but poverty has its own sunny side, and one of the sweet of the sweet uses of adversity is the genuine satisfaction which comes from hearty work of head or hand, and to the inspiration of necessity, we owe half the wise, beautiful, and useful blessings of the world.”(Louses May Alcott 99) Varzim holds that it is not shameful to get what you deserve through hearty work of head or hand.(2005,23) On the contrary, its a glory to do so. Mr. March kept telling his girls that wealth should be the obstacle at anytime during ones life and they are not supposed to set money as their life goal. But to many Chinese parents, they incline to link wealth with personal achievement and reputation which they can show off among the crowd. Naturally, they warned kids that without hardworking, they can never become the so-called upper classes and elites of society, and they would live a miserable life lack of money. This kid of overemphasis the role of money can possibly lead to the distortion of their moral value, which results in catastrophe to their lives. This reason plays a role in the increase of juvenile crime.2.2.2 Attitude to Death In eastern countries, death has always been a taboo, as if when we talk about it, we will instantly under the threat of death. Absence of certain belief such as god and Jesus, eastern people hold doubt about the end of life. Because of traditional concept, this doubt passed down from generation to generation. Thats why we treat inevitable death with fear and awe. While in western countries, people are more frank and calm about this everlasting topic. “Life likes a song, the song here lies soon upon the lips that live us now will have hummed and ended.”(Emily Dickinson2) how fantastic life is! How wonderful death is! Theres no fear in our mind, instead, we heard the most beautiful sound in the world and then fall asleep peacefully and mildly without regret and tear. From little women, we can see how composed the parents are to confront with death and how they go out of their way to comfort the live. “for the parents who had taught the child to meet death without despondency or distrust, and to use its beautiful opportunities with gratitude and power.( Louses May Alcott 135) death to them is no longer filled with tears and sorrow, instead, through the death, they get to know life should go on.3 Method of Family EducationHow to educate a child is a permanent consideration troubled parents. Some people are in favor of strictly limit, while others maintain that more freedom can make child be the beneficiary of imagination and creativity. There exists two means of specific education in little women which are worthy of learning.3.1 Sermon by Stories Based on ChildEvidence is there to state that life is the best teacher. Paste Weter maintains that only by absorbing experience from their daily life can children radically realize their demerits. (2005, 53) Without doubt, Mrs. March is an excellent story-teller. “She smiled and began to tell her little audience a story.” She told a story about how four little girls stopped complaining and appreciates what they possessed according to the advice of a sensible old woman. In the eyes of girls, their mother is “very cunning but witty to turn our own stories against us, and give us a sermon instead of a romance.”(Louses May Alcott 14) the result turns out to be as good as she expected. All of the girls realize that it is not wishing for what they dont have, but enjoying what they do possess. Compared with western parents, Chinese parents are not that good at telling story. They have fallen into the victim of exam-oriented education so that what they engage in is to urge their kids to make progress in study. They would not start a conversation with witty words but instruct their kids with compulsory sermon, and we can find that by reading Chua book.3.2 The Status in FamilyAilin thinks children regarded as excellent kids in a family in the eastern counties are those who totally follow orders given by parents. To those parents, the compulsory obedience from kids notifies their high status in their in family. (2005, 25) Thus, Amy Chua, a crazy mother, hold the privilege to control all of the activities of kids in expense of losing love from them. What the America parents hold is that parents and kids share the equal right in family. It is not understandable for parents to interfere kids individual life. In the little women, this is a ground which the march firmly keeps. “for the time when they could talk together not only as father and daughter, but as man and woman, able and glad to serve each other with mutual sympathy as well as mutual love.” The equality in status contributes to heart to heart communication, which reinforces the relationship. Instead of treating kids as their kids as belongs such as typical Chinese parents, the adult are supposed to communicate with the youth with respect and trust. Only in this way, can they really strike a balance in their family.3 ConclusionNo matter how different parents methods to educate their kids, theres denying that their endeavor are out of love. Based on love, they anticipate for a brilliant career and life, at the same time, they render what they have to the development of their kids. Undoubtedly, deficits are here and there in educational system in both western and eastern countries. But we can firmly draw a conclusion t