NYT article on easing academic pressure and a cultural divide

[Anonymous]

This is an interesting discussion. I am Asian and I love the American rounded personality approach to kids education. Back home, I got sick and tired of memorizing without much critical thinking. I refuse to send my kids down the road of memorizing for grades, I want them to understand the concepts of lesson at hand and develop critical thinking skills. I am not saying that I won't be pushing my kids for good grades, the main thing is grades will not be everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Behold white privilege.

If we were talking about sports than the parents in that article would not be protesting about all the pressure to make it to the NBA or whatever. The Asian parents are shooting for HYPS and MIT.

Different strokes.

Yes, they would, and people do.

Also, the NBA is not analogous to Harvard Yale Princeton Stanford MIT. That's an absurd definition of success. There is only one professional basketball league in the US. There are a whole lot of colleges and universities in the US where you can (and people do) get good college educations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:...On the other hand, I'm an alumni interviewer for my alma mater, which is a top-25 university. I interviewed a few people last year, and recommended them all. The Asian students I recommended were not accepted, and looking back on it, I think it was the lack of being a well-rounded person. They did very well academically (which is why I recommended them) but weren't so well-rounded compared to the non-Asian student I interviewed (and who was accepted).

what school and specifically what was lacking in the Asian students?

the PP who is an interviewer is an idiot. Schools don't look for 'well rounded' - they look to construct 'well rounded classes'.

What PP interviewer fails to mention is the truth, which is the asian kids he interviewed and recommended were competing for admission with other asian kids, not with the entire class. The non-asian kid likewise was competing within his/her bucket.

Um, pretty sure having racial "buckets" (i.e. Quotas) is unconstitutional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:...On the other hand, I'm an alumni interviewer for my alma mater, which is a top-25 university. I interviewed a few people last year, and recommended them all. The Asian students I recommended were not accepted, and looking back on it, I think it was the lack of being a well-rounded person. They did very well academically (which is why I recommended them) but weren't so well-rounded compared to the non-Asian student I interviewed (and who was accepted).

what school and specifically what was lacking in the Asian students?

the PP who is an interviewer is an idiot. Schools don't look for 'well rounded' - they look to construct 'well rounded classes'.

What PP interviewer fails to mention is the truth, which is the asian kids he interviewed and recommended were competing for admission with other asian kids, not with the entire class. The non-asian kid likewise was competing within his/her bucket.

Um, pretty sure having racial "buckets" (i.e. Quotas) is unconstitutional.

Not for private institutions. These institutions want a "diverse" student body. That would translate into racial quotas. If they went strictly by test scores and GPAs, there'd be a lot more Asian American kids in these schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:...On the other hand, I'm an alumni interviewer for my alma mater, which is a top-25 university. I interviewed a few people last year, and recommended them all. The Asian students I recommended were not accepted, and looking back on it, I think it was the lack of being a well-rounded person. They did very well academically (which is why I recommended them) but weren't so well-rounded compared to the non-Asian student I interviewed (and who was accepted).

what school and specifically what was lacking in the Asian students?

the PP who is an interviewer is an idiot. Schools don't look for 'well rounded' - they look to construct 'well rounded classes'.

What PP interviewer fails to mention is the truth, which is the asian kids he interviewed and recommended were competing for admission with other asian kids, not with the entire class. The non-asian kid likewise was competing within his/her bucket.

Um, pretty sure having racial "buckets" (i.e. Quotas) is unconstitutional.

Um, you're pretty wrong about that.

[Anonymous]

It is absolutely accurate, with one exception. The reason the Asian parents support the competitive schooling is because that's how it works in Korea and some other countries. It's not because they are immigrants. Apparently, even the competition and stress described in the article are nothing compared to the stress of going to school in Korea. It's a kind of imported culture that has filtered into the schools. However, I have a hard time believing that all the Asian parents support it - I know many Asian parents here in the DC area who agree that the stress and competition is not good for kids. They just don't see a way to opt out without disadvantaging their children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is absolutely accurate, with one exception. The reason the Asian parents support the competitive schooling is because that's how it works in Korea and some other countries. It's not because they are immigrants. Apparently, even the competition and stress described in the article are nothing compared to the stress of going to school in Korea. It's a kind of imported culture that has filtered into the schools. However, I have a hard time believing that all the Asian parents support it - I know many Asian parents here in the DC area who agree that the stress and competition is not good for kids. They just don't see a way to opt out without disadvantaging their children.

This is true. Compared to China, S. Korea, etc. the U.S. education system is much kinder, gentler and nurturing. Kids' futures don't basically hinge on one national standardized test which is how it works in those countries.

My brother who was working in Asia came back to the U.S. for exactly this reason once his oldest became school age. His kids attend a test in charter in an area similar to Princeton, NJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is absolutely accurate, with one exception. The reason the Asian parents support the competitive schooling is because that's how it works in Korea and some other countries. It's not because they are immigrants. Apparently, even the competition and stress described in the article are nothing compared to the stress of going to school in Korea. It's a kind of imported culture that has filtered into the schools. However, I have a hard time believing that all the Asian parents support it - I know many Asian parents here in the DC area who agree that the stress and competition is not good for kids. They just don't see a way to opt out without disadvantaging their children.

This is true. Compared to China, S. Korea, etc. the U.S. education system is much kinder, gentler and nurturing. Kids' futures don't basically hinge on one national standardized test which is how it works in those countries.

My brother who was working in Asia came back to the U.S. for exactly this reason once his oldest became school age. His kids attend a test in charter in an area similar to Princeton, NJ.

Yep. My cousin, from Korea, doesn't want his kids educated in the S. Korean style. This is partly the reason S. Korean parents send their kids to public school here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is absolutely accurate, with one exception. The reason the Asian parents support the competitive schooling is because that's how it works in Korea and some other countries. It's not because they are immigrants. Apparently, even the competition and stress described in the article are nothing compared to the stress of going to school in Korea. It's a kind of imported culture that has filtered into the schools. However, I have a hard time believing that all the Asian parents support it - I know many Asian parents here in the DC area who agree that the stress and competition is not good for kids. They just don't see a way to opt out without disadvantaging their children.

This is true. Compared to China, S. Korea, etc. the U.S. education system is much kinder, gentler and nurturing. Kids' futures don't basically hinge on one national standardized test which is how it works in those countries.

My brother who was working in Asia came back to the U.S. for exactly this reason once his oldest became school age. His kids attend a test in charter in an area similar to Princeton, NJ.

Yep. My cousin, from Korea, doesn't want his kids educated in the S. Korean style. This is partly the reason S. Korean parents send their kids to public school here.

The S. Korean style of education is kill or be killed. My SIL was a public school teacher in S. Korea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is absolutely accurate, with one exception. The reason the Asian parents support the competitive schooling is because that's how it works in Korea and some other countries. It's not because they are immigrants. Apparently, even the competition and stress described in the article are nothing compared to the stress of going to school in Korea. It's a kind of imported culture that has filtered into the schools. However, I have a hard time believing that all the Asian parents support it - I know many Asian parents here in the DC area who agree that the stress and competition is not good for kids. They just don't see a way to opt out without disadvantaging their children.

This is true. Compared to China, S. Korea, etc. the U.S. education system is much kinder, gentler and nurturing. Kids' futures don't basically hinge on one national standardized test which is how it works in those countries.

My brother who was working in Asia came back to the U.S. for exactly this reason once his oldest became school age. His kids attend a test in charter in an area similar to Princeton, NJ.

Yep. My cousin, from Korea, doesn't want his kids educated in the S. Korean style. This is partly the reason S. Korean parents send their kids to public school here.

? How can a S. Korean parent just "decide" to send their kids to school hete? Is there a visa for this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is absolutely accurate, with one exception. The reason the Asian parents support the competitive schooling is because that's how it works in Korea and some other countries. It's not because they are immigrants. Apparently, even the competition and stress described in the article are nothing compared to the stress of going to school in Korea. It's a kind of imported culture that has filtered into the schools. However, I have a hard time believing that all the Asian parents support it - I know many Asian parents here in the DC area who agree that the stress and competition is not good for kids. They just don't see a way to opt out without disadvantaging their children.

This is true. Compared to China, S. Korea, etc. the U.S. education system is much kinder, gentler and nurturing. Kids' futures don't basically hinge on one national standardized test which is how it works in those countries.

My brother who was working in Asia came back to the U.S. for exactly this reason once his oldest became school age. His kids attend a test in charter in an area similar to Princeton, NJ.

Yep. My cousin, from Korea, doesn't want his kids educated in the S. Korean style. This is partly the reason S. Korean parents send their kids to public school here.

The S. Korean style of education is kill or be killed. My SIL was a public school teacher in S. Korea.

Also as competitive as Koreans are, we don't hold a candle to the Chinese or Indian parents... And I say that in awe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is absolutely accurate, with one exception. The reason the Asian parents support the competitive schooling is because that's how it works in Korea and some other countries. It's not because they are immigrants. Apparently, even the competition and stress described in the article are nothing compared to the stress of going to school in Korea. It's a kind of imported culture that has filtered into the schools. However, I have a hard time believing that all the Asian parents support it - I know many Asian parents here in the DC area who agree that the stress and competition is not good for kids. They just don't see a way to opt out without disadvantaging their children.

This is true. Compared to China, S. Korea, etc. the U.S. education system is much kinder, gentler and nurturing. Kids' futures don't basically hinge on one national standardized test which is how it works in those countries.

My brother who was working in Asia came back to the U.S. for exactly this reason once his oldest became school age. His kids attend a test in charter in an area similar to Princeton, NJ.

Yep. My cousin, from Korea, doesn't want his kids educated in the S. Korean style. This is partly the reason S. Korean parents send their kids to public school here.

The S. Korean style of education is kill or be killed. My SIL was a public school teacher in S. Korea.

Also as competitive as Koreans are, we don't hold a candle to the Chinese or Indian parents... And I say that in awe.

Lordy, that's scary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is absolutely accurate, with one exception. The reason the Asian parents support the competitive schooling is because that's how it works in Korea and some other countries. It's not because they are immigrants. Apparently, even the competition and stress described in the article are nothing compared to the stress of going to school in Korea. It's a kind of imported culture that has filtered into the schools. However, I have a hard time believing that all the Asian parents support it - I know many Asian parents here in the DC area who agree that the stress and competition is not good for kids. They just don't see a way to opt out without disadvantaging their children.

This is true. Compared to China, S. Korea, etc. the U.S. education system is much kinder, gentler and nurturing. Kids' futures don't basically hinge on one national standardized test which is how it works in those countries.

My brother who was working in Asia came back to the U.S. for exactly this reason once his oldest became school age. His kids attend a test in charter in an area similar to Princeton, NJ.

Yep. My cousin, from Korea, doesn't want his kids educated in the S. Korean style. This is partly the reason S. Korean parents send their kids to public school here.

? How can a S. Korean parent just "decide" to send their kids to school hete? Is there a visa for this?

S. Koreans do not need a visa to come to the U.S. Most don't want to immigrate to the US. It is not like the 80ties. Their standard of living is high and S. Korea is now a first world country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is absolutely accurate, with one exception. The reason the Asian parents support the competitive schooling is because that's how it works in Korea and some other countries. It's not because they are immigrants. Apparently, even the competition and stress described in the article are nothing compared to the stress of going to school in Korea. It's a kind of imported culture that has filtered into the schools. However, I have a hard time believing that all the Asian parents support it - I know many Asian parents here in the DC area who agree that the stress and competition is not good for kids. They just don't see a way to opt out without disadvantaging their children.

This is true. Compared to China, S. Korea, etc. the U.S. education system is much kinder, gentler and nurturing. Kids' futures don't basically hinge on one national standardized test which is how it works in those countries.

My brother who was working in Asia came back to the U.S. for exactly this reason once his oldest became school age. His kids attend a test in charter in an area similar to Princeton, NJ.

Yep. My cousin, from Korea, doesn't want his kids educated in the S. Korean style. This is partly the reason S. Korean parents send their kids to public school here.

? How can a S. Korean parent just "decide" to send their kids to school hete? Is there a visa for this?

S. Koreans do not need a visa to come to the U.S. Most don't want to immigrate to the US. It is not like the 80ties. Their standard of living is high and S. Korea is now a first world country.

Well you are contradicting the poster who said many S. Korean parents send their kids to public schools in the U.S. my question was how can they do that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're interested in this battle, then you need to read this:
http://chronicle.com/article/The-Trouble-With-Tiger-Culture/144267/

I'm an academic and I read it when it came out last year. I was really shocked by some of the author's claims. He essentially says that childhood is a western concept that people from other cultures don't buy into. He says that Asians think of kids as 'miniature adults' and that they have no problem with assigning a 3 year old homework because that's his job.

It really highlights the cultural divide. I find it troubling that so many people don't believe in childhood. It can't be healthy.

Me, too. Childhood is for, among other things, developing emotional health.