[Asian Problems]Pennsylvania Dad Abandons Daughter Over Poor Math Grade

Some Asian parents go overboard, but they are trying their best to give their kids the best opportunities in life. They push their children to do well in school because that will usually lead to better higher education opportunities later, which usually translate to higher paying jobs when they graduate. Even when the parents do not know English, they understand the importance of education, many non Asian parents could learn from this concept.There are plenty of parents in the US that do not push their kids at all in school, thus the large percentage of kids who drop out of high schools.

 

I think the value of school is greatly over rated. Maybe medical school, but have a very specific goal in mind not the whole notion of just going to school. Many kids would be better of going to vocational school.

 

OP: Where's my LINK?

Also, what the F is "The Mecury"?!?!?

Link?

 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics say other wise. There is quite a big difference between the average salary between someone who has a bachelors and someone with an associates and much greater than someone with just a hs diploma or ged.

 

Actually most Asian parents will guide their kids to "useful" career paths that are relatively easy to make a living. Engineering, Medical, Accounting, computer science, etc. Most will not let kids go to performing arts or liberal arts unless they are really talented in those areas.

Nothing wrong with vocational schools, but a good secondary education never hurt you, even if you decide to go to vocational schools later.

 

In order to get into medical school, one needs to first do well in middle school and then high school and then college. A person doesn't just suddenly show up at medical school prepared with the discipline to complete such a degree. It's a continuous process of academic evolution.

I wish someone had told me how important middle school and high school was when I was growing up. I had to catch up big time when I reached undergrad just to be on the equal footing as many of my peers.

 

Yeah, I'm a Caucasian kid and my parents were always pretty strict- but I live in a heavily korean area- I've never seen anything like it. I know plenty of kids- usually foreign born or 1st generation- who rarely hang out and spend most of their time studying or doing extra curricular (usually church groups or music). That, or do nothing and fail high school- there's very little in between.

I had a chemistry teacher from Shanghai, he's lived here for about 15 years, and he's still shocked about how little most Americans care about school or how little work ethic most have.

 

i'm a mutt so i have full blooded relatives that are Greek, Lebanese & Armenian.

The Greek & Lebanese parents are much more laid back & primarily concerned with the happiness of their kids (socially just as important as academically)

the Armenian parents are much more severe/rigid...pretty much the stereotype one associates w/the Asian parents & 1st generation Jewish parents).

 

To be honest, I always thought this was the secret to "Asian" success. Probably a better reason to why there aren't many Asian sports stars/actors and other low success ratio occupations than racial reasons.

 

Asian failing Calculus?

What's next?

Blacks failing basketball?

 

See: Javale McGee

 

didn't he just sign a near-max contract?

That's not failing to me...

 

as for the english classes, many of them probably feel it's too late for them to learn.. or that it takes time and money.. something they don't have when they come to the US.. all they know is that they need to support their family and manual labor is the only thing they feel they can do in the situation... that's probably the same reason why they are so hard on their kids... they don't want their kids to struggle the way they did later on in life. but this dude is taking it to the extreme by basically disowning his daughter. crazy!!

 

What I mean is that even when they have the money and time, they wouldn't take English classes. Say an Asian couple has a successful business like a restaurant or a nails salon. They're not struggling like they used to. They have money now. Yet they still refuse to learn proper English. But they force their children to make perfect grades. Why can't their children carry on the business that they made? This is what I want to point out. Excuses from the Asian parents. Is taking one ESL class is too much to ask? At least show the children education is important by making a genuine effort at achieving some form of education. ESL classes are offered free or little cost. It's really annoying when I hear Asians who drive around nice cars, flashing their brand name stuff, yet speak broken English. I don't mean the accent. And then they brag about how they want their children to become engineers, doctors, lawyers, etc.

 

I think Asian parents demand work ethic (which should help turn into financial success), and most even with their broken English have that. Once they have some financial success, and having broken English doesn't impede them from continue to have financial success, then why would they care? Also what's the opportunity cost and benefit of trying to learn English vs. something else they can sink their time into?

As far as kids, engineers, doctors, lawyers, etc... are seen as "safe" career paths. Small business also can fail a lot, and most think education is important because it gives the most likelihood of financial independence. If their kids founded Google or Facebooks, I don't think the parents would care if they never finished high school.

 

Because they live in America. When I was in Taiwan I tried to speak Mandarin, French when I was in France, German when I was in Germany. It might have been broken, but at least I put the effort. Learn the language as it sets a positive role model for your kids. BTW I don't think I know any Indian people who can't speak English in America unless they are over 70.

 

I think most of them have put in the effort to have at least passable English. I find it pretty hard to function and run a business without without the ability to have some passing English. They also might not be able to speak it that well, but I think most will understand when spoken to. I think unless you have learned and is fluent in another language, you don't realize how hard it is to master a new language after you're an adult. The difficulty level ramps up significantly to go from passing English (enough to describe stuff with hand gestures) to fluent English.

I don't think you can really learn another language unless you have the opportunity/necessity to speak with others on a consistent basis. This is why when I meet sons and daughters of professional's abroad that attended international school can speak perfect English and not a word of the language in the country they live in for 2 years. In another words, it have less to do with effort and more to do with opportunity. How often do you try to have actual conversations with recent immigrants (cute girls don't count, though I do find that they pick up the language much faster... coincidence? I think not ). As far as positive role model, I hope the difficulties most first generation Asian American's overcome is enough of positive influence on their offspring. As far as Indian Americans, English is an official language for official work and a lot of working professionals. Not sure why you are using them as an example.

 

Plus India is a former British colony, i wouldn't be surprised if most classes there are taught using english.