Y_NT4_Lesson-3-1_Expert

Growing up in America with Japanese parents made a Japanese girl realize the differences in parenting styles between Japanese and American parents. She mentioned that American parents encourage their children by giving praises. They like to give compliments every day by recognizing even their smallest efforts. While Japanese parents praise their children lesser than the Americans. For instance, her American classmate would get a big hug from her parents even if she only got B’s on her report card. Meanwhile, her parents would often say that she should have studied better despite getting an A+. Because of that, it made her realize that she must work harder to achieve greater things in life. But on the other hand, it made her less confident and became reluctant in trying new things.

She believes that constructive criticism is an important tool for children to learn things, however, she could not help but notice how Japanese and American parents give encouragement. Her parent’s way of motivating is by telling her that she will end up jobless if she does not study harder. Meanwhile, her best friend’s mother would motivate her by saying things positively which made her look forward to it.

In the end, she realized that Americans prefer that style to ensure that they establish smooth communication with their children. While the Japanese prefer to praise their children less to make sure that they would not become conceited. In parenting, it is a matter of preference, there is no right or wrong.