Are Asian mothers too strict or do Americans merely perceive them that way as the result of a cultural misunderstanding, as Ojeda believes in her essay

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Does Cultural Misunderstanding Affect the Relationship between Americans and Asians?
Amparo Ojeda’s essay, “Growing up American: Doing the Right Thing”, gives readers an overview apropos of both American and Asian mothers. While there is an assumption about the latter’s strictness, Ojeda utilizes Filipinos to delineate the cultural differences between them and Americans (Thiagarajan 115 & 152). These disparities, therefore, lead to misconceptions and misunderstanding between the two groups in society. Readers understand that Americans perceive Asian mothers as strict and harsh due to prevalence of their cultural diversities.
Fore mostly, these lengths of rigidity notable in the Asian culture are misconstrued by these Americans. Ojeda infers disrespect and an absence of values in these American children. Their spoilt nature gives them avenues to act in a derogatory manner (Ojeda 231). The writer relates these experiences with childhood where her Filipino parents demanded respect from children. It is quite unfortunate that culture interferes with the American adult’s ability to stand up to their children (Chua, “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother”). Ojeda is perturbed apropos of the calmness and tolerance in these American adults, despite the children’s stubbornness and misbehavior. Through such cultural differences, therefore, Americans assume that Asian mothers are strict in nature (Nanda & Richard 366-367). Evidently, socialization and upbringing has a great impact on the development of individuals.

Additionally, there are salient differences between American and Filipino mannerisms, as discussed in Ojeda’s essay. She enlightens readers on the independent and individualistic nature of these American children (Christerson, Korie & Richard 21). While Filipino children often require parental consent, there is a significant deal of independence among American children. These experiences create avenues for comprehending the essentiality of individualism and dependence apropos of Americans and Filipinos, respectively. As a matter of fact, the issue of dependence is closely tied to unity and elements of togetherness. Most of these Asians highly treasure familial relationships thus delineating the opposite nature of Americans.
As observed in the essay, these Filipinos and Americans also differ in disciplinary matters. At the restaurant, the writer noted the amount of food that was thrown away due to the American children’s insatiability. It was more forlorn that their parents did not caution them to only order enough portions. Through this instance, therefore, readers understand Ojeda’s frustrations while observing those cultural differences between Americans and Filipinos. The issue of independence apropos of American children interferes with morals, values and respect that should be accorded to adults. To some extent, readers may infer the parents’ fears in upsetting their children. Such logicalities, however, only result in problems due to poor upbringing of these youthful beings. Even if other cultures allow children to handle their own matters, parental consent is often important. Ojeda, due to these happenings, experiences culture shock in an attempt to understand the Americans and their way of life.
Surprisingly, the author also notes that American children have the liberty to refer to adults by their first names. These cultural differences communicate different messages to both ethnicities. While Americans find it quite normal, the Filipinos, according to Ojeda, refer to it as disrespectful. In point of fact, it is important for readers to understand that these practices are also prevalent in other cultures. Unlike “Americanos”, children should not address their elders using the latter’s first names. The essay offers information about the specific words and phrases that should be employed while communicating with adults. Due to cultural misunderstanding, therefore, Asian mothers may be considered strict due to their struggles in raising respectful children. It is quite easy for Americans to misunderstand these actions and confuse them for strictness and uptightness.
In fact, their failure to decipher cultural disparities drives them to make false conclusions about these Asians. These misunderstandings do not allow Filipinos to embrace the Americans’ way of life (Elteren 213). Just like the former’s socialization is foreign to the latter, Americans also experience difficulties in accepting these Asians, their values and virtuous nature. The writer reiterates that adults should be addressed with their respective titles so as to create a distinction between them and children. She seems more perturbed when the American children introduce her to other people using her first name (Ojeda 232-233). In agreeing with Ojeda’s essay, it is quite obvious that culture interferes with the ability of these two groups to understand one another.
The issue of strictness may be used by these Americans to avoid respecting adults and older folk. Asian mothers, according to the essay, are not too strict. As these adults are more inclined toward respect and morality, they are branded to be harsh. If the author does not address her seniors by their first names, there are salient challenges regarding socialization among American children. These habits, as observed in the essay, are also seen in the Filipinos as a consequence of assimilation. While the Asian mothers attempt to instill discipline in the younger generation, the Americans on are considered the less strict parents in these societies due to their dissimilar values and beliefs.
Moreover, readers may infer irresponsibility in these American parents. Some of them may justify their actions through endorsing independence and individualism in their children. As they castigate Asian parents such as the author for fulfilling their tasks, these Americans console and soothe their lost souls. These cultural differences also lead to criticism and denouncing of other cultures as portrayed by Americans and Filipinos. In lieu of attempting to understand these diversities, they both want their cultures to appear superior to the other (Singh & Kalyani 6). It is, therefore, quite evident that these Asians propel the accusations and criticism from their American counterparts. If they also accepted their way of life, these groups would strive to co-exist peaceful with each other. The essay also delineates the challenges noted during imposition of one’s tradition onto various groups in society (Rumbaut & Alejandro 157). In addition to brewing ill feelings among Americans and Filipinos, there is also a rift between Asian mothers and their Americanized children. While the latter wants to incorporate American cultures into their lifestyles, these Asian parents disregard their decisions.
Through the essay, readers are urged to embrace diversity and tolerate other cultures. It is due to an absence of appreciation that Americans assume strictness in Asian mothers. It is important to understand that unlike in America, nations such as Philippines uphold cultures and traditions. In fact, these societies are cultural and driven by values. The issue of individualism among Americans also portrays their belief about families. In excluding parents from their daily lives, these American youths become detached from their relatives and family. The disbelief in traditions and customs intensifies their misconception about Asian mothers. It is important to understand that the apparent “strictness” of Asian parents assists their children in surviving in different parts of the world. While Americans are unable to fit in completely in other communities, these Filipinos, due to their acquired values and traditions, have an upper hand in the situation.
Learning about other cultures is also important as it molds people and improves assimilation. It is, however, essential to grasp positive and helpful customs; the kind that assist people to survive in foreign lands. Despite the fact that children require their freedom, elements such as values and virtues are important in a human being’s life. While these parents are not required to interfere with sectors such as their children’s career choices and marriage partners, it is their role to mold them into productive people in the society. Through the in-depth analysis of American and Filipino cultures, there is evidence apropos of miscommunication due to oblivion. When folk do not understand a community’s way of life, they are bound to dismiss the same, rendering theirs more superior and admirable.
As discussed in Amparo Odeja’s essay, there are great disparities between American and Filipino cultures. While the latter is driven by traditions, the former does not believe in the same. Their mantra revolves around individualism and independence of children. According to Americans, parents are not supposed to be “overprotective” while nurturing and raising these youthful human beings. Understanding these differences allows both groups to accommodate one another without vilification or criticism. Odeja, in her dénouement, urges readers to cater to their children regardless of the absence of values in societies. Individuals should succumb to pressure due to differences in their cultural and traditional beliefs. According to the author, it is more important for her child to lead a satisfactory and fulfilling life instead of attempting to emulate American cultures.
Works Cited
Chua, Amy. Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. London: Bloomsbury, 2011. Print.
Christerson, Brad, Korie L. Edwards, and Richard W. Flory. Growing Up in America: The Power of Race in the Lives of Teens. Stanford, Calif: Stanford University Press, 2010. Print.
Elteren, Mel . Americanism and Americanization: A Critical History of Domestic and Global Influence. Jefferson, NC [u.a.: McFarland, 2006. Print.
Nanda, Serena, and Richard L. Warms. Culture Counts: A Concise Introduction to Cultural Anthropology. , 2014. Print.
Ojeda, Amparo. Growing up American: Doing The Right Thing. Loyola University, Chicago.
Rumbaut, Rubén G, and Alejandro Portes. Ethnicities: Children of Immigrants in America. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2001. Print.
Singh, Jaswinder, and Kalyani Gopal. Americanization of New Immigrants: People Who Come to America and What They Need to Know. Lanham, Md: University Press of America, 2002. Print.
Thiagarajan, Maya. Beyond the Tiger Mom: East-west Parenting for the Global Age. , 2016. Internet resource.

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