How Much “Blended” Education in the Era of Globalization?

How do we teach our children better? This is every parent’s perpetual topic of conversation. Not long ago, Chinese-American Yale University professor Amy Chua wrote “Fighting Song of the Tiger Mother.” This book evoked many emotions in America; some Americans began to rethink the issue of raising children in America. Actually, at the same time Americans were discussing the “tiger mother,” more and more Chinese parents are drawing parenting lessons from American parents. East and West both regard themselves to be under siege, but are able to draw mutual lessons. Perhaps, in the era of globalization, education must embrace the merits of foreign culture and seek to blend the aspects into the best balance.

Opinions differ on whether Eastern or Western education methods are better. If we take a traditional look, previously it was easier to lay stress on accumulation of knowledge and skills. Other methods tend to rigorously control and develop competitive mentality. Some people say that this is the “Tiger Mother” method. The latter seems to focus more on the free development of individual children, and is good at developing critical thinking, creative power and practical ability. Some people call it the “Cat Mother” approach.

“Tiger Mother” or “Cat Mother” are only labels of educational methods that are up to interpretation and specific to each family, which sometimes operate under complicated circumstances. Professor Wei of New York University’s Cultural Development Education Research Center found that the “Tiger Mother” childcare model is not absolutely representative of Chinese parenting practices. In the U.S. there are many mothers who have very strict requirements for children, so the model is not representative.

Professor Wei also found that the successful parenting model is neither one nor the other. Successful parenting means there is no absolute measure.

Indeed, in today’s age of globalization, the “Tiger Mother” and “Cat Mother” approaches are not diametrically opposed and shouldn’t become any one extreme. Western education seeks to find the best combination between the two, drawing on one method’s strong points to offset the other’s weaknesses. Finding a balance between the two is perhaps a win-win situation in the era of globalization.

“Tiger Mom” Amy Chua wrote in a letter to her readers that she recognized that “rote memorization and strict discipline” and “freedom” are not mutually exclusive. She hopes to find a middle road between the two and a “good combination of East and West together.”

In the era of globalization, education should be more conscious of integration. This concept should be recognized not only because of a country’s own strong points culturally, but because countries with multiple cultural backgrounds are in growing demand. “Tiger Mom” and “Cat Mom” can learn from each other and blend abilities that will prepare good, happy people who are able to adapt to different cultural environments.