The perspectives on Chinese parenting system seen in Chua`s Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
THE PERSPECTIVES ON CHINESE PARENTING SYSTEM
SEEN IN CHUA’S BATTLE HYMN OF THE TIGER MOTHER
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
Sisilia Triana Dewi
Student Number: 084214117
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2012
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
THE PERSPECTIVES ON CHINESE PARENTING SYSTEM
SEEN IN CHUA’S BATTLE HYMN OF THE TIGER MOTHER
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
Sisilia Triana Dewi
Student Number: 084214117
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2012
i
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
ii
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
iii
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN
PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIK
Yang bertanda tangan di bawah ini, saya mahasiswa Universitas Sanata Dharma:
Nama
: Sisilia Triana Dewi
Nomor Mahasiswa
: 084214117
Demi pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan
Universitas Sanata Dharma karya ilmiah saya yang berjudul:
The Perspectives of Chinese Parenting System Seen in Chua’s Battle Hymn of the
Tiger Mother
beserta perangkat yang diperlukan (bila ada). Dengan demikian saya memberikan
kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma hak untuk menyimpan,
mengalihkan dalam bentuk media lain, mengelolanya dalam bentuk pangkalan
data, mendistribusikan secara terbatas, dan mempublikasikannya di Internet atau
media lain untuk kepentingan akademis tanpa perlu meminta ijin dari saya
maupun memberikan royalti kepada saya selama tetap mencantumkan nama saya
sebagai penulis.
Demikian pernyataan ini saya buat dengan sebenarnya.
Dibuat di Yogyakarta
Pada tanggal : 30 November 2012
Yang menyatakan
(Sisilia Triana Dewi)
iv
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
Given that life is so short and so fragile, surely each of us should be trying
to get the most out of every breath, every fleeting moment
(Amy Chua-Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother).
Peace and war begin at home. If we truly want peace in the world, let us
begin by loving one another in our own families. If we want to spread
joy, we need for every family to have joy (Mother Teresa).
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so
long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened
for us (Hellen Keller).
The only measure of what you believe is what you do. If you want to
know what people believe, don’t read what they write, don’t ask them
what they believe, just observe what they do (Ashley Montagu).
v
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
This thesis is dedicated to
My Beloved Parents
F. Purwadi & Suwartini, MG
My Beloved Brother & Sister
Y. Setyo Wibowo & Y. Dwi Ningrum
My Great Daddy
JESUS CHRIST
vi
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
ACKNOWLEDMENTS
First of all, I thank my advisor, Dewi Widyastuti, S.Pd., M.Hum for being
patient to guide and help me during my thesis writing process. I would like to
thank her for her support and suggestions to improve and make my thesis better
every week. I also thank my co-advisor, Elisa Dwi Wardani, S.S., M.Hum and my
main examiner Dra. A.B. Sri Mulyani, M.A., Ph.D. for their suggestions and
corrections to improve my thesis. I would also thank all of the lecturers and staff
of English Letters Department, Sanata Dharma University. I thank them for their
help during my study.
Then, I thank my beloved and wonderful parents, F. Purwadi and
Suwartini, MG, for their everlasting love and support during my study and my
great life in Yogyakarta. I would also thank my lovely brother and sister, Y. Setyo
Wibowo, Y. Dwi Ningrum and my big family for their love and support during
my study and my thesis writing process.
I thank my Pringgodani 10 family, Yulia Rustiningsih, Patricia Dian, and
Agustina Ika for their great support in my study. I thank them for remembering
me to finish this thesis as soon as possible.
I would also thank my Best Friends Forever (BFF), Fidelis Permanasari,
Saverin Punkas, Galih Puji Haryanto, Maria Oktaviarini, Judith Ester Yanti
Tobing, Matius Rohadi, Benedictus Herru Sukoco, Yessi Karismayani, Nicholaus
Yudhi Kristianto and Theodorus Jerry Manatin. I thank them for their support,
love and also for letting me be a part of their wonderful life.
vii
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
I thank my best friends in English Letters Department, Frida Rana
Pandoyu, Irina Virgiastuti Supolo and Selvia Megahsari for being best friends,
best family and great supporter during my thesis writing process and for giving an
unbeliveable 4 years togetherness. I would also thank the 2008 students whose
names I can not mention one by one for their support.
Then, I thank Romo Budi Susanto, S.J who suggests me to use Amy
Chua’s book as the subject of my thesis. I thank him for his guidance and
suggestions during my thesis writing process. Then, I thank Sanata Dharma
University for filling my life with new experiences, new friends, new family and
the chance to have an education.
For last but really not least, I thank my great Daddy, Jesus Christ for His
blessing and everlasting love for every second of my life. Without His guidance I
would never be able to face my life. I thank Him for giving this great and amazing
life to me and to everyone around me.
Sisilia Triana Dewi
viii
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE……………………………………………………….......
APPROVAL PAGE…………………………………………………….
ACCEPTANCE PAGE………………………………………………...
LEMBAR PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH……...
MOTTO PAGE………………………………………………………….
DEDICATION PAGE…………………………………………………..
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS………………………………………………
TABLE OF CONTENTS……………………………………………….
ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………..
ABSTRAK……………………………………………………………….
i
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii
ix
xi
xii
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION………………………………………
A. Background of the Study…………………………………….
B. Problem Formulation…………………………………………
C. Objectives of the Study………………………………………
D. Definition of Terms…………………………………………..
1
1
4
4
5
CHAPTER II: THEORETICAL REVIEW…………………………..
A. Review of Related Studies…………………………………..
B. Review of Related Theories…………………………………
1. Theory on Characterization..........................................
2. Theory on Conflict.......................................................
3. The Relation between Literature and Society.............
4. Theory on Parenting System……………………........
a. Theory on Family’s Role..................................
b. Theory on American Parenting System...........
c. Theory on Chinese Parenting System..............
C. Theoretical Framework………………………………………
7
7
9
9
12
13
15
15
17
21
23
CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY…………………………………...
A. Object of the Study………………………………………….
B. Approach of the Study………………………………………
C. Method of the Study………………………………………..
25
25
27
28
CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS……………………………………………
A. The Character in the Novel………………………………….
1. Chua............................................................................
30
30
30
ix
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
2. Lulu..............................................................................
B. The Conflict between Chua and Lulu……………………….
1. Struggle Against Society.............................................
2. Struggle Against Another Person................................
a. The Conflict on Family’s Role.........................
b. The Conflict on Cultural Values......................
C. The Perspectives on Chinese Parenting System……………..
1. Parents’ Authority.......................................................
2. Children’s Manner.......................................................
3. Children’s Achievements............................................
38
45
46
49
49
54
57
58
60
61
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION………………………………………..
63
BIBLIOGRAPHY………………………………………………………
67
APPENDIX..............................................................................................
Summary of Amy Chua’s Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother........
69
69
x
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
ABSTRACT
SISILIA TRIANA DEWI. The Perspectives on Chinese Parenting System Seen
in Chua’s Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. Yogyakarta: Department of English
Letters, Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma University, 2012.
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother written by Amy Chua is a memoar of her
parenting system. Chua is a Chinese mother who lives in America with her Jewish
husband and their daughters, Sophia and Lulu. There are some conflicts that
happen between Chua and Lulu because of the parenting system which Chua uses.
The conflicts show that there are some points that have to be considered when the
parents decide to apply a parenting system to the children.
There are three problems in this thesis. The first problem is how the
characters are described. The second is how the conflicts on Chinese parenting
system are described. The third is the perspectives on Chinese parenting system
seen in the characteristics and conflicts.
In order to support this analysis, the data and theories are collected using
the library research method. The primary data were taken from the book, Battle
Hymn of the Tiger Mother. This study used the theory on characterization, theory
on conflict, the relation between literature and society, theory on family’s role,
theory on American parenting system, theory on Chinese parenting system and
socio-cultural-historical approach.
The first analysis of the study shows that Chua is an authoritative,
ambitious, bad tempered and arrogant mother. On the other hand, Lulu is a
diligent, obstinate, simple and also bad tempered child. The strict Chinese
parenting system which is applied by Chua stimulates the rebellion of Lulu who
does not like to be controlled by her mother. Then, the application of Chinese
parenting system and the rebellion of Lulu becomes the causes of conflicts that
happen between Chua, Lulu and some people around them. Based on the
characteristics and the conflicts, the writer finds out that there are three
perspectives in Chinese parenting system which is used by Chua. These
perspectives are parents’ authority, children’s manner and children’s
achievements. These three perspectives on Chinese parenting system reflect that
Chinese children are not permitted to express their rebellion or to state their
opinion to the parents because they must be respected and obeyed. In addition,
Chinese children’s achievements are important for the parents because it will
bring honor to them and reflects that the parents have done their job well.
xi
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
ABSTRAK
SISILIA TRIANA DEWI. The Perspectives on Chinese Parenting System Seen
in Chua’s Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. Yogyakarta: Jurusan Sastra Inggris,
Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Sanata Dharma, 2012.
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother yang ditulis oleh Amy Chua adalah
sebuah memoir dari sistem didikannya. Chua adalah seorang ibu Cina yang
tinggal bersama dengan suaminya, seorang Yahudi dan kedua putri mereka,
Sophia and Lulu. Ada beberapa konflik yang terjadi di antara Chua dan Lulu
karena sistem didikan yang Chua pergunakan. Konflik tersebut menunjukkan
bahwa ada beberapa poin yang harus dipertimbangkan ketika orang tua
memutuskan untuk menerapkan sebuah sistem didikan kepada anak-anak mereka.
Ada tiga masalah dalam skripsi ini. Masalah pertama ialah bagaimana
tokoh-tokoh dideskripsikan. Masalah kedua ialah, bagaimana konflik dalam
sistem didikan Cina dideskripsikan. Masalah ketiga ialah sudut pandang dalam
sistem didikan Cina dilihat dari karakteristik dan konflik.
Untuk mendukung skripsi ini, data dan materi-materi dikumpulkan
menggunakan metode penelitian pustaka. Data utama diambil dari buku Battle
Hymn of the Tiger Mother. Studi ini menggunakan teori karakter dan
karakterisasi, teori konflik, hubungan diantara kesusastraan dan masyarakat, teori
peranan keluarga, teori sistem didikan Amerika, teori sistem didikan Cina dan
pendekatan sosio-kultural-histori.
Analis pertama dari studi ini menunjukkan bahwa Chua adalah seorang ibu
yang berwenang, ambisius, pemarah dan sombong. Disisi lain, Lulu adalah
seorang anak yang tekun, keras kepala, sederhana dan juga pemarah. Kerasnya
sistem didikan Cina yang diterapkan oleh Chua memicu pemberontakan dari Lulu
yang tidak suka dikontrol oleh ibunya. Kemudian, penerapan dari sistem didikan
Cina dan pemberontakan Lulu menjadi penyebab dari konflik yang terjadi
diantara Chua, Lulu dan beberapa orang disekitar mereka. Berdasarkan
karakteristik-karakteristik dan konflik-konflik tersebut, penulis menemukan
bahwa ada tiga sudut pandang dalam sistem didikan Cina yang dipergunakan oleh
Chua. Sudut pandang tersebut adalah wibawa orang tua, sikap anak-anak, dan
prestasi anak-anak. Ketiga sudut pandang dalam sistem didikan Cina ini
mencerminkan bahwa anak-anak Cina tidak diperbolehkan untuk menunjukkan
pemberontakan atau menyampaikan pendapat mereka kepada orang tua karena
mereka harus dihormati dan dituruti. Sebagai tambahan, prestasi anak-anak Cina
penting untuk orang tua karena akan membawa kehormatan bagi mereka dan
mencerminkan bahwa mereka sudah melakukan pekerjaan dengan baik.
xii
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study
Family is a place for children to learn about human and life before they
look into a larger place named society. The role of family is more than school or
other formal institutions. It is stated by Eastman in her book Family the Vital
Factor as follows.
Families have a greater impact on at least some areas of the moral
development of adolescents than peers or school, and they are a major
influence on the style of religious attitudes, practices and beliefs
developed (Eastman, 1989: 3).
Based on the quotation above, family has to give a strong foundation to
the children before they face a real life around them. The strong foundation can be
reached by applying the exact parenting systems to raise the children. On the other
hand, parents’ role is also needed during the parenting process. Both parenting
systems and parents’ role are important because it will be used to see the parents’
success on raising their children. However, there are some parenting systems that
are applied by many parents in the world. Some of the parenting systems have
been characteristics of one group of people or society. In addition, parenting
system relates to the culture of society or some group of people which is different
between one and other. The Chinese and American is the example of group of
people who have different parenting systems, Gorman in her journal Parenting
Attitudes and Practices of Immigrant Chinese Mother of Adolescents stated as
follows.
1
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
2
In Chao’s research, Chinese mothers emphasized their children’s
relationships with others than their children’s psychological attributes.
This overall orientation is qualitatively different from views held by
mainstream American culture, where individuality is stressed and
individuals are viewed in terms of personality traits (http://search.
proquest.com/docview/213934484/fulltextPDF/1393790C7616D4F6D28
/10?accountid=62690, January 24, 2012).
These different parenting systems can show that there are many groups of
people around the world and each of them have their own culture which is unique
and special. On the contrary, these differences become problems for a family
which wants apply parenting system to raise their children but they have two
different cultures. It is caused by each husband and wife has different family’s
background which can be meant that they have different perspectives on the way
of raising the children.
Bush in his dissertation entitled Parenting Behaviors and the Self-Esteem
and Academic Achievement of European-American, Mainland Chinese, and
Russian Adolescent: Conformity and Autonomy as Interviewing Variables stated
Chinese parenting as follows.
Traditional descriptions of parenting in Chinese cultures portray families
as consisting of kind (i.e., warm) mothers and strict (i.e., father) and
reviews of research on Chinese parenting within Hong Kong, other nonmainland Chinese societies, and in mainland China have portrayed
parents as adhering to these traditional roles that are supportive of
collectivist orientations (http://etd.ohiolink.edu/send-pdf.cgi/Bush%20
Kevin%20Ray.pdf?osu1282748438, March 8, 2012).
According to Bush’s definition of Chinese parenting, Chinese parenting
is a parenting system which the father is strict on raising the children. In addition,
many Chinese parents apply the Chinese parenting system because it has been
their basic beliefs. These characteristics of Chinese parenting which being
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
3
problem for Chinese-American parents who applied this parenting system to raise
their children however they do not reconcile it with the environment and the
different culture around.
The Chinese-American parents’ problems and the perspectives on
Chinese parenting are needed to be analyzed because it is reflecting the condition
of many families and parents around the world. Nowdays, there are many parents
who are strict on a parenting system which they think it is the best for the
children. Then, they apply the parenting systems however do not reconcile it to
the children’s characteristics and environment around them. This study is not only
needed to know about the perspectives on Chinese parenting system however it
also can be used as parents’ reflection in the process of raising the children. It is
useful to make the parents realize about their role on raising the children, and they
can think more about the importance of finding the best parenting systems to raise
the children.
To analyze the perspectives and the problems on Chinese parenting,
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother is good choice for this research. Battle Hymn of
the Tiger Mother is a book written by Amy Chua that is based on true story book.
This book is a memoar of Chua’s life whom applying Chinese parenting system to
raise her two daughters, Lulu and Shopia. Chua is a Chinese mother who lives in
United States and practices Chinese parenting system on raising her daughters.
Some of Chua’s views about Chinese parenting system are schoolwork always
comes first, an A-minus is a bad grade, the children must be two years ahead of
their classmates in math, the parents must never compliment the children in
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
4
public, if the child ever disagrees with a teacher or coach, the parents must always
take the side of the teacher or coach, the only activities that the children should be
permitted to do, those in which they can eventually win a medal, and that medal
must be gold. In the process of raising her daughters, Chua realizes about the
different characteristics between Lulu and Shopia and different parenting system
between Chinese and Americans. However, Chua does not consider the impact of
Chinese parenting system toward Lulu’s wishes to have privacy and to control her
own life, till Lulu rebels to her. Lulu’s rebellion makes Chua changes her views
and her parenting system. This book describes perfectly about how a Chinese
mother practice the Chinese parenting system to her children and how it can
change Chua’s characteristic as a Tiger mother being an open-minded mother.
B. Problem Formulation
1.
How are the characters described?
2.
How are the conflicts on Chinese Parenting system described?
3.
What are the perspectives on the Chinese Parenting system seen in the
characteristics and conflicts?
C. Objectives of the Study
The purposes of studying the perspectives on Chinese Parenting are to
know about the main beliefs on Chinese parenting system and to use it as the
parents’ reflection on finding the best parenting systems to raise the children. On
the other hand, it will help the parents to realize about their role in the process of
raising the children.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
5
In brief there are three objectives of the study. The first objective is to
find out the description of the characters. The second objective is to know about
the description of conflicts on Chinese Parenting system. The last objective is to
analyze the perspectives on Chinese Parenting system which is seen from the
characteristics and conflicts.
D. Definition of Terms
This definition of terms is used to emphasize the meaning of the words
which are used in this research. On the other hand, this definition of terms is to
reduce the confusion of the reader towards the meaning of these words.
1.
Perspective
The New International Webster’s Comprehensive Dictionary stated the
definition of perspective is the relative importance of facts or matters from any
special point of views, also their presentation with just regard to their proportional
importance (Read, 1996: 943). Therefore, based on this description, it can be said
if perspective is somebody’s view about facts or matters.
2.
Chinese Parenting
Gorman in her journal Parenting Attitudes and Practices of Immigrants
Chinese Mothers of Adolescents said that Chinese parenting emphasizes their
children’s relationships with others rather than children’s psychological attributes.
Chinese parenting is also focus on parental respect and obedience. In Chinese
parenting, the parents have also been cited as emphasizing education as the
“avenue to social mobility.” On the other hand, Chinese concept of parenting can
be said as “training” (chiao shun and guan). The concept of chiao shuns and guan
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
6
encompasses the use of a standard of conduct out of parental care and concern for
their children’s well being and successful adjustment. (http://search.proquest.com
/docview/213934484/fulltextPDF/1393790C7616D4F6D28/10?accountid=62690,
January 24, 2012).
3.
Memoir
A Handbook of Literature stated the definition of memoir is a form of
autobiographical writing dealing usually with the recolections of those who have
been a part of or have witnessed significant events. Memoirs differ from
autobiography proper in that they are usually concerned with persoanlities and
actions other than those of the writer, whereas the autobiography lays a heavier
stress on the inner and private life of its subject (Holman and Harmon, 1986: 296).
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL REVIEW
A. Review of Related Studies
Many people, newspapers and magazines reviewed Chua’s book, Battle
Hymn of the Tiger Mother whether they were pro or contra with the issue that
Chua brought in the book. Chua took an issue about different culture of Chinese
and American in the terms of parenting system. In the book, Chua stated how
Chinese has better parenting system than Americans’ and how Chinese parenting
system could help the parents on raising their children and produce talented and
successful children.
Janet Maslin in her review entitled But Will It All Make ‘Tiger Mom’
Happy in The New York Times stated as follows.
Ms. Chua was not about to raise prizeless slackers. She wanted prodigies,
even if it meant nonstop, punishing labor. So “Battle Hymn of the Tiger
Mother” chronicles its author’s constant demanding, wheedling, scolding
and screaming. It describes seemingly endless piano and violin sessions
that Ms. Chua supervised. (Her own schedule of teaching, traveling,
writing and dealing with her students goes mostly unmentioned — and
would require her to put in a 50-hour workday.) And it enforces a single
guiding principle that is more reasonable than all the yelling suggests:
“What Chinese parents understand is that nothing is fun until you’re good
at it” (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/20/books/20book.html?_r=1,
April 28, 2012).
According to Maslin’s review above, Chua tried to show how she applied
Chinese parenting system as a Chinese immigrant in America. Though it was not
easy and demanding, wheedling, scolding and screaming but it must be done
because Chua thought if it was the best way to raise her daughters.
7
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
8
On the other hand, Teresa Budasi in her review of Battle Hymn of the
Tiger Mother stated opinion about Chua’s book issue, the differences of parenting
system between Chinese and Westerners as follows.
It is difficult to critique Amy Chua’s book without commenting on her
parenting style. It’s been a hot topic in the news for several weeks.
“Western” parents, whom Chua classifies as too permissive and eager to
praise mediocrity, are in turn critical of the author’s “Chinese” style of
parenting, which in its most extreme form consists of drill sergeant-type
tactics and the seemingly constant reinforcement that “you’re not good
enough” (http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/books/3624456-421/
chua-book-parenting-chinese-amy.html, April 28, 2012).
From the quotation above, Teresa commented that Chinese Parenting
system was different from American parenting system. Based on her review
Chinese parenting system developed the children’s characteristics without paying
attention to the children’s self esteem. It would make the children tried to develop
their own characteristics. Budasi stated Chua’s issue was controversial because
she compared deeply between Chinese and American parenting systems.
In his review Tiger Mothers in Training, Po Bronson stated about the
positive impacts of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother to the parents’ system in
raising the children as follows.
American mothers and fathers are dying for permission to be a little
tougher on their kids... These parents have long wrestled with an internal
conflict, coddling their kids’ egos to protect their psyces, even as they’ve
suspected that approach might stunt their achievement. Battle Hymn of
the Tiger Mother resolves that contradiction. What it teaches is that kids
might actually want to get ahead just as much as their moms and dads
want them to-a message that relieves the guilt of achievement-driven
parents, freeing them to let up on the self-esteem boosting and
concentrate on the results (http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/70838/,
April 28, 2012).”
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
9
Bronson in the review emphasized that he was agree toward Chua’s issue
though there were many people disagree with that. Bronson said that Battle Hymn
of the Tiger Mother helped the parents to be more open minded toward other
culture and how it could give positive values for them. On the other hand,
Bronson argued that children need privacy to explore themselves and find their
self-esteem.
This research wants to show about the perspectives on Chinese parenting
system. On the other hand, it can be used to make the parents’ role clear and it
also can be the parents’ reflection to find the best parenting system in the process
of raising the children.
B. Review of Related Theories
1.
Theory on Character and Characterization
In A Glossary of Literary Terms, character is identified as “the person
presented in a dramatic or narrative work, who are interpreted by the reader as
being endowed with moral, dispositional, and emotional qualities by inferences
from what they say-dialogue and by what they do-the action (Abrams, 2009: 42).”
Based on the definition, character is one element of literary work which guides the
reader to know and understand the story and also to get many values from the
characters’ conversation and action in the story.
There are two types of characters. The first type is flat character which is
a single idea or quality that is presented without much individualizing detail, and
can be described adequately in a single phrase or sentence. The second type is
round character which is complex in temperament and motivation and is
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
10
represented with subtle particularly, such a character therefore is as difficult to
describe with describe in any adequacy as a person in real life, and like persons, is
capable of surprising us (Abrams, 2009: 43).
In A Handbook to Literature: Eleventh Edition, Harmon stated that the
creation of imaginary persons so that they seem lifelike is called characterization
(2009: 95). According to the definition, characterization is the way on making
characters or imaginary person being more alive and real.
M.J. Murphy in his book Understanding Unseen: An Introduction to
English Poetry and the English Novel for Overseas Students (1972: 161-173)
stated nine important points that are needed to understand the characteristics of a
character.
a.
Personal Description
The author describes the character by his/her physical appearance. The character
can be thin, fat, handsome, or bad looking. The clothes can describe the
character’s economical condition. The rich character can be shown by the good
quality of his/her clothes.
b.
Character as Seen by Another
The author describes the character from the eyes and opinions of the other
character’s opinion. The reader gets, as it were, a reflected image.
c.
Speech
The author describes the character in the novel through hat the character says in
the novel. It includes how is the character speak, whenever the character is in the
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
11
conversation with another, and how the character puts forward an opinion, he is
giving us clue to his character.
d.
Past Life
The author can describe the character by letting the reader know something about
the past life of the character. This way can be described by direct comment from
the author, the character’s thought, his/her conversation, or through the medium of
the another characters.
e.
Conversation of Others
The author can describe the character through his/her conversation with other
character and the things they say about the characters. People do talk about other
people and the things they say often give us clue to the character of the person
spoken about.
f.
Reactions
The author can describe the character by letting the reader know how he/she reacts
to various situations or events.
g.
Direct Comment
The author can describe or comment on a person’s character directly.
h.
Thought
The author can describe the character by letting the reader know what the
character is thinking about. In this respect he is able to do what we cannot do in
real life. He can tell us what different people are thinking. In the novel we accept
this. The reader then is in a privileged position; he has, as it were, a secret
listening device plugged in to the inmost thoughts of a person in a novel.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
i.
12
Mannerism
The author can describe the character’s manner and habits or idiosyncrasies,
which may also tell us something about the character.
2.
Theory on Conflict
Conflict is an important part of a story. Conflict will help to understand
the values or the main point of the story which the writer want to say. According
to A Handbook to Literature: Eleventh Edition, Harmon stated the definition of
conflict as follows.
The struggle that grows out of the interplay of the two opposing forces.
Conflict provides interest, suspense, and tension. At least one of the
opposing forces is customarily a person (2009: 123).
Based on the statement above, conflict happens because there are two
opposing forces or two differences point that the people or the objects stand for.
The conflict will give another feeling which can help on understanding the idea or
the main topic of the story.
There are some causes on conflict. On Social Science: An Introduction to
the Study of Society, Elgin F. Hunt explains about the causes of conflict as
follows.
A conflict does not always mean hate, hatred, or distrust. Conflict can
also happen just through the limit differences of opinion, perspectives,
judgments, and opposing arguments. This type of conflict happens
because group tends to evaluate certain matters based on its own
perception or point of view, which is influenced by their aspects of
culture, values, religion, belief, and norms or moral standards (1955: 3132).
The quotation above describes that conflict also can be influenced by
different view, norms, and another social aspect or culture which can make
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
13
different thought or mind set between one character and others. It means that, the
background of some people will influence their beliefs or minds about something.
In addition, conflict does not always happen between one character and
others however conflict can happen in some different ways. Harmon stated four
types of conflicts as follows.
(1) a struggle against nature. In this conflict, the protagonist deals with
natural forces (2) a struggle against another person, usually the antagonist
(3) a struggle against society. In this case, the protagonist may be having
a conflict with society norms or values (4) a struggle for mastery by the
elements within the person (Harmon, 2009: 123).
From the theories above, the writer knows that conflict can happen in
many situation and many things such as nature, another person, society and
his/herself. On the other hand, conflict relates to plot and it is not only a kind of
struggle of someone to somebody or something however it has purposes. The
purposes of conflict is revealed by Harmon in their book as follows.
Conflict implies not only the struggle of a protagonist against someone or
something, but also the existence of some motivation for the conflict or
some goal to be achieved thereby (2009: 123).
The goal or some motivation that will be achieved on the existence of
conflict in a story is not only to know about the problem of the story. It is also
used to understand about the main idea or the theme which the story want to
show.
3.
The Relation between Literature and Society
Abcarian and Klotz in their book Literature: Reading and Writing the
Human Experience sataed about the definition of literature as follows.
The word literature means different things to different people. To some,
it suggests imaginative works of exceptional quality. To others, it refers
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
14
to written works that have held up to repeated readings by various
audiences over time (1998: 1).
In addition there are some media which can become the author’s basic
idea on producing the literary work, it is described in Literature: Reading and
Writing the Human Experience as follows.
Many authors acknowledge that their work is shaped by other writers and
the literature has spoken to them most directly and powerfully. Authors
frequently write about what happens around them and thereby express
historically situated ideas, feelings, and values (Abcarian and Klotz,
1998: 3).
Based on the description of literature and the way of the author create
their idea, memoir can be a part of literature because memoir is described as, “a
form of autobiographical writing dealing usually with the recollections of those
who have been a part of or have witnessed significant events (Halmon and
Horman, 1986: 296).” Memoir is a part of literature because it is a written work
which read by the audiences or readers. It also has the similar basic idea with the
other literary work such as it reflects the author’s environment life or the situation
or events which happens around and it also can reflect the idea or values of the
society or the author.
Based on book The Mirror and the Lamp: Romantic Theory and the
Critical Tradition, the relation between literature and society can be seen from
mimetic theories. The mimetic orientation is the explanation of art as essentially
an imitation of aspects of the universe. Abrams said as follows.
The arts of paintings, poetry, music, dancing and sculpture are imitations.
‘Imitations’ is a relation term, signifying two items and some
correspondence between them. But, although in many later mimetic
theories everything is comprehended in two categories, the imitable and
imitation, the philosopher in Platonic dialogues characteristically
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
15
operates with three categories. The first categories is that of the eternal
and unchanging Ideas; the second, reflecting this, is the world of sense,
natural or artificial; and the third category, in turn reflecting the second,
comprises such thing as shadows, images in water and mirrors, and the
fine arts (1953: 8).
Abrams also said that, “Those objects in the universe that art imitates, or
should imitate, were variously conceived as either actual or in some sense ideal;
and from the first, there was a tendency to replace Aristotle’s ‘action’ as the
principle object of imitation with such elements as human character, or thought, or
even inanimate things (1953: 11).”
Literature has closed relationship with society because literature can
express the condition and situation that is happening. It can reflect in the figure of
character, plot, setting or in the issue which is brought in the literary work.
4.
Theory on Parenting System
a.
Theory on Family’s Role
Family is a first place for children to know about human relation and life
before they see another kind of human relation and life in the bigger society. In a
family, children learn to develop their characteristics and they learn how they
have to behave or face the environment around. In the process of raising children,
the parents’ role is needed because they are very influential in the process of
raising the children. It is supported by Daniel A. Lord in his book Some Notes for
the Guidance of Parents said that “From parents, the preordained teachers, the
child gets all the fundamentals of living. The gift of language is a parental gift.
His first human habits are formed in imitation of his parents’ actions (1944: 11).”
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
16
In addition, parents are people who have the biggest role in the process of raising
children because they are the role model for their children.
In a family, the role of the family’s member relates to the type of the
family because the family’s type will establish the roles of each family’s
members. In his book Social Science: An Introduction to the Study of Society,
Elgin F. Hunt describes about the type of family and the description of each
family’s type as follows.
There are three family control patterns which are father control, or
patriarchy; mother control, or matriarchy; and shared control, or the
egalitarian family. In patrilineal system the father is not only the head of
the family but he also considers that the children belong to him and that
he has authority over their lives, even, in some cases, giving or selling
them in marriage. In matrilineal system, the mother does not usually have
the direct control, as one might suppose. More often it is the mother’s
brother who wields authority and controls the children. The family takes
the mother’s name, and usually lives with the mother’s family. The
husband may continue to spend much of his time with his own mother’s
and sister’s families; and since with his children he has no status as far as
control is concerned, he can be more of a playmate and friend to them. In
the egalitarian system, each family member is respected as a personality,
and even the children may have a part in making family decision (1955:
174-176).
Based on the statement of Hunt’s above, the writer concludes that all of
family’s members have their own role. It depends on the family’s type that is used
by the family because in each of those types, the roles of family’s members are
different. Hunt also states that, “No one type of family has been universal among
mankind. The patterns have varied from time to time and place to place with
changing social and economic conditions” (1955: 174). It means that every place
in the world have their own type of family related to their culture, society and also
economic conditions.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
17
On the other hand, parents’ culture can influence the pattern in raising
children. It is stated in Bush’s dissertation entitled Parenting Behaviors and the
Self-Esteem and Academic Achievement of European-American, Mainland
Chinese, and Russian Adolescents: Conformity and Autonomy As Intervening
Variables that “Parents in cultures described as collectivistic focus on fostering
interdependence and conformity in their children which is seen as leading to
highly desired outcomes such as promoting group harmony and academic
achievement (http://etd.ohiolink.edu/send-pdf.cgi/Bush%20Kevin%20Ray.pdf?os
u1282748438, March 8, 2012).” It means that, there is a connection between
culture and parents’ system on raising their children. Culture relates to the
parenting systems because it can be one way for the parents to promote their
culture and show how good it is for the children.
b. Theory on American Parenting System
There are some terms of family, small family that consists of father,
mother, and their children and a large family which is not only father, mother and
children but also their relatives, such as grandparents, aunts, uncle, etc. Some
places on this world have different definition on describing the meaning of family.
On American family the definition of family is explained by Althen in his book,
American Ways: Guide for Foreigners in the United States as follows.
The term of “family” for Americans is usually referring to a father, a
mother, and their children. This is called “nuclear family.” Grandparents,
aunts, uncles, cousins, and others who might be labeled “family” in many
other countries are “relatives” in American terminology. These usages
reflect the fact that, for most Americans, the family is a small group of
people, not an extended network. (1988: 48).
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
18
Based on Althen’s statements on the term of American family, the term
of family in America is a group of people that consists of father, mother and their
children. The grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and others are not family
because they are labeled as relatives.
In addition, as one group of people who lives together, each of the
family’s members have different roles. Althen explains about the roles of family’s
member on his book as follows.
The father has responsible for things outside the house: maintaining the
family car (or cars) and the yard. He would be expected to take care of
whatever home repairs and improvements were within his capabilities.
The mother was responsible for matters inside the house: cleaning, caring
for the children, shopping for groceries and clothing, and preparing
meals. The children are expected to contribute at least in some measure
to home maintenance. They are responsible for certain “chores,” such as
washing dishes, vacuuming carpets, and keeping their rooms clean (1988:
49).
Althen’s statement above is the description of the main role of family’s
member in American family. It is the basic role that being the responsibility of
each members. However, the role changes especially on the mother’s role which
caused of the roles of women have been similar with man in the outside. It means
that the existence of woman in the outside influences their role as a mother.
In her essay entitle The Family: Genus Americanum, Ruth Benedict
stated about the mother’s role in American family as follows.
In the United States the mother is the chief responsible agent in bringing
up her children: here the father’s opinions are something the children are
more likely to play off against the mother’s (Benedict, 1949:165).
According to Benedict’s statements above, an American mother has a big
role to raise their children. The mother has a role to protect the children more than
the father. It makes a kind of difference authority between the mother and father.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
19
Here, the father lacks authority compared to the mother. It can be used by the
children to reject or avoid the mother’s authority. Benedict adds that American
mother gives freedom to the children to manage their own choice in life. Benedict
reflects that, “An American mother expects a child of three or four to be a
responsible moral agent, and she gives him latitude in which to prove that he can
manage his little affairs by himself” (1949: 165).
Ruth Benedict in her article The Family: Genus Americanum stated about
the relationship between mother and children in an American family as follows.
For a great part of the working day, American children are the
responsibility of the teacher and not of the mother. As nursery schools
spread over the country, younger and younger children get trained care
outside the home and the mother’s labors are correspondingly relieved.
As the children grow older the mother’s leisure increases, until finally
she reaches that idle middle age with its round of card parties and clubs
and window shopping and movies which engross and waste the energy of
so many millions of American women (Benedict, 1949: 163-164).
Based on the quotation above, the effect of global industry in America is
the role of mother at home changed by the teacher at school. It causes there is no
close relationship between mother and children because the mother focuses on her
job. In this case, the children try to control their own life without the parents or
especially the mother’s guidance.
On the other hand, even though the American parents can not give more
attention to the children as perfect as the other parents but they give the children
freedom to state their opinion and to choose their choice. It can help the parents to
build the children’s characteristics and making them be more responsible towards
their own life. It is stated in Althen’s book American Ways: Guide for Foreigners
in the United States as follows.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
20
Even very young children are given opportunities to make their own
choices and express their opinions. Indeed, American child-rearing
manuals state that the parents’ objective in raising a child is to create a
responsible, self-reliant individual who, by the age of 18 or so, is ready to
move out of the parents’ house and make his or her own way in life.
Americans takes this advice very seriously, so much so that a person
beyond the age of about 20 who is still living at home with his or her
parents may be thought to be “immature,” “tied to the mother’s apron
strings,” or otherwise unable to lead a normal, independent life” (1988:
4-5).
Based on the explanation above, American parents’ roles in raising the
children are as a guide who shows them what they can do or what they can choose
in life. Moreover, the parents give freedom to the children to find the best choice
and decision for their life.
In addition, the freedom of children can stimulate “teenager rebellion” if
the parents are not look after the children. The freedom enables the children to
express their opinion or thought when they are disagreeing to the other ideas. In
his book, Althen said, “Americans assume that adolescence is inherently a period
of turmoil. Teenagers are expected to be self-centered, moody, and uncooperative
while they seek to “find themselves” or “establish their personal identities” as
individuals separate from others in the family” (1988: 50-51). It means that in the
children’s process of finding their personal identities, the parents’ role is needed
to create a good environment for the children’s place learning. It also can help the
parents to control the children’s unstable characteristics and make them be well
behaved.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
c.
21
Theory on Chinese Parenting System
China is one of some places on the world which the parents take control
on their family’s life especially on their children’s life. It means that father and
mother has the responsibility as decision maker in the family. Hsu in his essay,
The Family in China explains about Chinese traditional family as follows.
The backbone of the family in traditional China is the father-son
relationship. While the parents are alive it is the son’s duty to support and
obey them; after their death it is the son’s duty to continue the support
and obedience by providing proper funerals and entering into ancestors
worship. But then, the era changed and Chinese find that the ideal family
is small family consisti
THE PERSPECTIVES ON CHINESE PARENTING SYSTEM
SEEN IN CHUA’S BATTLE HYMN OF THE TIGER MOTHER
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
Sisilia Triana Dewi
Student Number: 084214117
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2012
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
THE PERSPECTIVES ON CHINESE PARENTING SYSTEM
SEEN IN CHUA’S BATTLE HYMN OF THE TIGER MOTHER
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
Sisilia Triana Dewi
Student Number: 084214117
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2012
i
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
ii
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
iii
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN
PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIK
Yang bertanda tangan di bawah ini, saya mahasiswa Universitas Sanata Dharma:
Nama
: Sisilia Triana Dewi
Nomor Mahasiswa
: 084214117
Demi pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan
Universitas Sanata Dharma karya ilmiah saya yang berjudul:
The Perspectives of Chinese Parenting System Seen in Chua’s Battle Hymn of the
Tiger Mother
beserta perangkat yang diperlukan (bila ada). Dengan demikian saya memberikan
kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma hak untuk menyimpan,
mengalihkan dalam bentuk media lain, mengelolanya dalam bentuk pangkalan
data, mendistribusikan secara terbatas, dan mempublikasikannya di Internet atau
media lain untuk kepentingan akademis tanpa perlu meminta ijin dari saya
maupun memberikan royalti kepada saya selama tetap mencantumkan nama saya
sebagai penulis.
Demikian pernyataan ini saya buat dengan sebenarnya.
Dibuat di Yogyakarta
Pada tanggal : 30 November 2012
Yang menyatakan
(Sisilia Triana Dewi)
iv
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
Given that life is so short and so fragile, surely each of us should be trying
to get the most out of every breath, every fleeting moment
(Amy Chua-Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother).
Peace and war begin at home. If we truly want peace in the world, let us
begin by loving one another in our own families. If we want to spread
joy, we need for every family to have joy (Mother Teresa).
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so
long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened
for us (Hellen Keller).
The only measure of what you believe is what you do. If you want to
know what people believe, don’t read what they write, don’t ask them
what they believe, just observe what they do (Ashley Montagu).
v
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
This thesis is dedicated to
My Beloved Parents
F. Purwadi & Suwartini, MG
My Beloved Brother & Sister
Y. Setyo Wibowo & Y. Dwi Ningrum
My Great Daddy
JESUS CHRIST
vi
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
ACKNOWLEDMENTS
First of all, I thank my advisor, Dewi Widyastuti, S.Pd., M.Hum for being
patient to guide and help me during my thesis writing process. I would like to
thank her for her support and suggestions to improve and make my thesis better
every week. I also thank my co-advisor, Elisa Dwi Wardani, S.S., M.Hum and my
main examiner Dra. A.B. Sri Mulyani, M.A., Ph.D. for their suggestions and
corrections to improve my thesis. I would also thank all of the lecturers and staff
of English Letters Department, Sanata Dharma University. I thank them for their
help during my study.
Then, I thank my beloved and wonderful parents, F. Purwadi and
Suwartini, MG, for their everlasting love and support during my study and my
great life in Yogyakarta. I would also thank my lovely brother and sister, Y. Setyo
Wibowo, Y. Dwi Ningrum and my big family for their love and support during
my study and my thesis writing process.
I thank my Pringgodani 10 family, Yulia Rustiningsih, Patricia Dian, and
Agustina Ika for their great support in my study. I thank them for remembering
me to finish this thesis as soon as possible.
I would also thank my Best Friends Forever (BFF), Fidelis Permanasari,
Saverin Punkas, Galih Puji Haryanto, Maria Oktaviarini, Judith Ester Yanti
Tobing, Matius Rohadi, Benedictus Herru Sukoco, Yessi Karismayani, Nicholaus
Yudhi Kristianto and Theodorus Jerry Manatin. I thank them for their support,
love and also for letting me be a part of their wonderful life.
vii
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
I thank my best friends in English Letters Department, Frida Rana
Pandoyu, Irina Virgiastuti Supolo and Selvia Megahsari for being best friends,
best family and great supporter during my thesis writing process and for giving an
unbeliveable 4 years togetherness. I would also thank the 2008 students whose
names I can not mention one by one for their support.
Then, I thank Romo Budi Susanto, S.J who suggests me to use Amy
Chua’s book as the subject of my thesis. I thank him for his guidance and
suggestions during my thesis writing process. Then, I thank Sanata Dharma
University for filling my life with new experiences, new friends, new family and
the chance to have an education.
For last but really not least, I thank my great Daddy, Jesus Christ for His
blessing and everlasting love for every second of my life. Without His guidance I
would never be able to face my life. I thank Him for giving this great and amazing
life to me and to everyone around me.
Sisilia Triana Dewi
viii
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE……………………………………………………….......
APPROVAL PAGE…………………………………………………….
ACCEPTANCE PAGE………………………………………………...
LEMBAR PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH……...
MOTTO PAGE………………………………………………………….
DEDICATION PAGE…………………………………………………..
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS………………………………………………
TABLE OF CONTENTS……………………………………………….
ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………..
ABSTRAK……………………………………………………………….
i
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii
ix
xi
xii
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION………………………………………
A. Background of the Study…………………………………….
B. Problem Formulation…………………………………………
C. Objectives of the Study………………………………………
D. Definition of Terms…………………………………………..
1
1
4
4
5
CHAPTER II: THEORETICAL REVIEW…………………………..
A. Review of Related Studies…………………………………..
B. Review of Related Theories…………………………………
1. Theory on Characterization..........................................
2. Theory on Conflict.......................................................
3. The Relation between Literature and Society.............
4. Theory on Parenting System……………………........
a. Theory on Family’s Role..................................
b. Theory on American Parenting System...........
c. Theory on Chinese Parenting System..............
C. Theoretical Framework………………………………………
7
7
9
9
12
13
15
15
17
21
23
CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY…………………………………...
A. Object of the Study………………………………………….
B. Approach of the Study………………………………………
C. Method of the Study………………………………………..
25
25
27
28
CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS……………………………………………
A. The Character in the Novel………………………………….
1. Chua............................................................................
30
30
30
ix
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
2. Lulu..............................................................................
B. The Conflict between Chua and Lulu……………………….
1. Struggle Against Society.............................................
2. Struggle Against Another Person................................
a. The Conflict on Family’s Role.........................
b. The Conflict on Cultural Values......................
C. The Perspectives on Chinese Parenting System……………..
1. Parents’ Authority.......................................................
2. Children’s Manner.......................................................
3. Children’s Achievements............................................
38
45
46
49
49
54
57
58
60
61
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION………………………………………..
63
BIBLIOGRAPHY………………………………………………………
67
APPENDIX..............................................................................................
Summary of Amy Chua’s Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother........
69
69
x
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
ABSTRACT
SISILIA TRIANA DEWI. The Perspectives on Chinese Parenting System Seen
in Chua’s Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. Yogyakarta: Department of English
Letters, Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma University, 2012.
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother written by Amy Chua is a memoar of her
parenting system. Chua is a Chinese mother who lives in America with her Jewish
husband and their daughters, Sophia and Lulu. There are some conflicts that
happen between Chua and Lulu because of the parenting system which Chua uses.
The conflicts show that there are some points that have to be considered when the
parents decide to apply a parenting system to the children.
There are three problems in this thesis. The first problem is how the
characters are described. The second is how the conflicts on Chinese parenting
system are described. The third is the perspectives on Chinese parenting system
seen in the characteristics and conflicts.
In order to support this analysis, the data and theories are collected using
the library research method. The primary data were taken from the book, Battle
Hymn of the Tiger Mother. This study used the theory on characterization, theory
on conflict, the relation between literature and society, theory on family’s role,
theory on American parenting system, theory on Chinese parenting system and
socio-cultural-historical approach.
The first analysis of the study shows that Chua is an authoritative,
ambitious, bad tempered and arrogant mother. On the other hand, Lulu is a
diligent, obstinate, simple and also bad tempered child. The strict Chinese
parenting system which is applied by Chua stimulates the rebellion of Lulu who
does not like to be controlled by her mother. Then, the application of Chinese
parenting system and the rebellion of Lulu becomes the causes of conflicts that
happen between Chua, Lulu and some people around them. Based on the
characteristics and the conflicts, the writer finds out that there are three
perspectives in Chinese parenting system which is used by Chua. These
perspectives are parents’ authority, children’s manner and children’s
achievements. These three perspectives on Chinese parenting system reflect that
Chinese children are not permitted to express their rebellion or to state their
opinion to the parents because they must be respected and obeyed. In addition,
Chinese children’s achievements are important for the parents because it will
bring honor to them and reflects that the parents have done their job well.
xi
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
ABSTRAK
SISILIA TRIANA DEWI. The Perspectives on Chinese Parenting System Seen
in Chua’s Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. Yogyakarta: Jurusan Sastra Inggris,
Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Sanata Dharma, 2012.
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother yang ditulis oleh Amy Chua adalah
sebuah memoir dari sistem didikannya. Chua adalah seorang ibu Cina yang
tinggal bersama dengan suaminya, seorang Yahudi dan kedua putri mereka,
Sophia and Lulu. Ada beberapa konflik yang terjadi di antara Chua dan Lulu
karena sistem didikan yang Chua pergunakan. Konflik tersebut menunjukkan
bahwa ada beberapa poin yang harus dipertimbangkan ketika orang tua
memutuskan untuk menerapkan sebuah sistem didikan kepada anak-anak mereka.
Ada tiga masalah dalam skripsi ini. Masalah pertama ialah bagaimana
tokoh-tokoh dideskripsikan. Masalah kedua ialah, bagaimana konflik dalam
sistem didikan Cina dideskripsikan. Masalah ketiga ialah sudut pandang dalam
sistem didikan Cina dilihat dari karakteristik dan konflik.
Untuk mendukung skripsi ini, data dan materi-materi dikumpulkan
menggunakan metode penelitian pustaka. Data utama diambil dari buku Battle
Hymn of the Tiger Mother. Studi ini menggunakan teori karakter dan
karakterisasi, teori konflik, hubungan diantara kesusastraan dan masyarakat, teori
peranan keluarga, teori sistem didikan Amerika, teori sistem didikan Cina dan
pendekatan sosio-kultural-histori.
Analis pertama dari studi ini menunjukkan bahwa Chua adalah seorang ibu
yang berwenang, ambisius, pemarah dan sombong. Disisi lain, Lulu adalah
seorang anak yang tekun, keras kepala, sederhana dan juga pemarah. Kerasnya
sistem didikan Cina yang diterapkan oleh Chua memicu pemberontakan dari Lulu
yang tidak suka dikontrol oleh ibunya. Kemudian, penerapan dari sistem didikan
Cina dan pemberontakan Lulu menjadi penyebab dari konflik yang terjadi
diantara Chua, Lulu dan beberapa orang disekitar mereka. Berdasarkan
karakteristik-karakteristik dan konflik-konflik tersebut, penulis menemukan
bahwa ada tiga sudut pandang dalam sistem didikan Cina yang dipergunakan oleh
Chua. Sudut pandang tersebut adalah wibawa orang tua, sikap anak-anak, dan
prestasi anak-anak. Ketiga sudut pandang dalam sistem didikan Cina ini
mencerminkan bahwa anak-anak Cina tidak diperbolehkan untuk menunjukkan
pemberontakan atau menyampaikan pendapat mereka kepada orang tua karena
mereka harus dihormati dan dituruti. Sebagai tambahan, prestasi anak-anak Cina
penting untuk orang tua karena akan membawa kehormatan bagi mereka dan
mencerminkan bahwa mereka sudah melakukan pekerjaan dengan baik.
xii
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study
Family is a place for children to learn about human and life before they
look into a larger place named society. The role of family is more than school or
other formal institutions. It is stated by Eastman in her book Family the Vital
Factor as follows.
Families have a greater impact on at least some areas of the moral
development of adolescents than peers or school, and they are a major
influence on the style of religious attitudes, practices and beliefs
developed (Eastman, 1989: 3).
Based on the quotation above, family has to give a strong foundation to
the children before they face a real life around them. The strong foundation can be
reached by applying the exact parenting systems to raise the children. On the other
hand, parents’ role is also needed during the parenting process. Both parenting
systems and parents’ role are important because it will be used to see the parents’
success on raising their children. However, there are some parenting systems that
are applied by many parents in the world. Some of the parenting systems have
been characteristics of one group of people or society. In addition, parenting
system relates to the culture of society or some group of people which is different
between one and other. The Chinese and American is the example of group of
people who have different parenting systems, Gorman in her journal Parenting
Attitudes and Practices of Immigrant Chinese Mother of Adolescents stated as
follows.
1
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
2
In Chao’s research, Chinese mothers emphasized their children’s
relationships with others than their children’s psychological attributes.
This overall orientation is qualitatively different from views held by
mainstream American culture, where individuality is stressed and
individuals are viewed in terms of personality traits (http://search.
proquest.com/docview/213934484/fulltextPDF/1393790C7616D4F6D28
/10?accountid=62690, January 24, 2012).
These different parenting systems can show that there are many groups of
people around the world and each of them have their own culture which is unique
and special. On the contrary, these differences become problems for a family
which wants apply parenting system to raise their children but they have two
different cultures. It is caused by each husband and wife has different family’s
background which can be meant that they have different perspectives on the way
of raising the children.
Bush in his dissertation entitled Parenting Behaviors and the Self-Esteem
and Academic Achievement of European-American, Mainland Chinese, and
Russian Adolescent: Conformity and Autonomy as Interviewing Variables stated
Chinese parenting as follows.
Traditional descriptions of parenting in Chinese cultures portray families
as consisting of kind (i.e., warm) mothers and strict (i.e., father) and
reviews of research on Chinese parenting within Hong Kong, other nonmainland Chinese societies, and in mainland China have portrayed
parents as adhering to these traditional roles that are supportive of
collectivist orientations (http://etd.ohiolink.edu/send-pdf.cgi/Bush%20
Kevin%20Ray.pdf?osu1282748438, March 8, 2012).
According to Bush’s definition of Chinese parenting, Chinese parenting
is a parenting system which the father is strict on raising the children. In addition,
many Chinese parents apply the Chinese parenting system because it has been
their basic beliefs. These characteristics of Chinese parenting which being
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
3
problem for Chinese-American parents who applied this parenting system to raise
their children however they do not reconcile it with the environment and the
different culture around.
The Chinese-American parents’ problems and the perspectives on
Chinese parenting are needed to be analyzed because it is reflecting the condition
of many families and parents around the world. Nowdays, there are many parents
who are strict on a parenting system which they think it is the best for the
children. Then, they apply the parenting systems however do not reconcile it to
the children’s characteristics and environment around them. This study is not only
needed to know about the perspectives on Chinese parenting system however it
also can be used as parents’ reflection in the process of raising the children. It is
useful to make the parents realize about their role on raising the children, and they
can think more about the importance of finding the best parenting systems to raise
the children.
To analyze the perspectives and the problems on Chinese parenting,
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother is good choice for this research. Battle Hymn of
the Tiger Mother is a book written by Amy Chua that is based on true story book.
This book is a memoar of Chua’s life whom applying Chinese parenting system to
raise her two daughters, Lulu and Shopia. Chua is a Chinese mother who lives in
United States and practices Chinese parenting system on raising her daughters.
Some of Chua’s views about Chinese parenting system are schoolwork always
comes first, an A-minus is a bad grade, the children must be two years ahead of
their classmates in math, the parents must never compliment the children in
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
4
public, if the child ever disagrees with a teacher or coach, the parents must always
take the side of the teacher or coach, the only activities that the children should be
permitted to do, those in which they can eventually win a medal, and that medal
must be gold. In the process of raising her daughters, Chua realizes about the
different characteristics between Lulu and Shopia and different parenting system
between Chinese and Americans. However, Chua does not consider the impact of
Chinese parenting system toward Lulu’s wishes to have privacy and to control her
own life, till Lulu rebels to her. Lulu’s rebellion makes Chua changes her views
and her parenting system. This book describes perfectly about how a Chinese
mother practice the Chinese parenting system to her children and how it can
change Chua’s characteristic as a Tiger mother being an open-minded mother.
B. Problem Formulation
1.
How are the characters described?
2.
How are the conflicts on Chinese Parenting system described?
3.
What are the perspectives on the Chinese Parenting system seen in the
characteristics and conflicts?
C. Objectives of the Study
The purposes of studying the perspectives on Chinese Parenting are to
know about the main beliefs on Chinese parenting system and to use it as the
parents’ reflection on finding the best parenting systems to raise the children. On
the other hand, it will help the parents to realize about their role in the process of
raising the children.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
5
In brief there are three objectives of the study. The first objective is to
find out the description of the characters. The second objective is to know about
the description of conflicts on Chinese Parenting system. The last objective is to
analyze the perspectives on Chinese Parenting system which is seen from the
characteristics and conflicts.
D. Definition of Terms
This definition of terms is used to emphasize the meaning of the words
which are used in this research. On the other hand, this definition of terms is to
reduce the confusion of the reader towards the meaning of these words.
1.
Perspective
The New International Webster’s Comprehensive Dictionary stated the
definition of perspective is the relative importance of facts or matters from any
special point of views, also their presentation with just regard to their proportional
importance (Read, 1996: 943). Therefore, based on this description, it can be said
if perspective is somebody’s view about facts or matters.
2.
Chinese Parenting
Gorman in her journal Parenting Attitudes and Practices of Immigrants
Chinese Mothers of Adolescents said that Chinese parenting emphasizes their
children’s relationships with others rather than children’s psychological attributes.
Chinese parenting is also focus on parental respect and obedience. In Chinese
parenting, the parents have also been cited as emphasizing education as the
“avenue to social mobility.” On the other hand, Chinese concept of parenting can
be said as “training” (chiao shun and guan). The concept of chiao shuns and guan
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
6
encompasses the use of a standard of conduct out of parental care and concern for
their children’s well being and successful adjustment. (http://search.proquest.com
/docview/213934484/fulltextPDF/1393790C7616D4F6D28/10?accountid=62690,
January 24, 2012).
3.
Memoir
A Handbook of Literature stated the definition of memoir is a form of
autobiographical writing dealing usually with the recolections of those who have
been a part of or have witnessed significant events. Memoirs differ from
autobiography proper in that they are usually concerned with persoanlities and
actions other than those of the writer, whereas the autobiography lays a heavier
stress on the inner and private life of its subject (Holman and Harmon, 1986: 296).
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL REVIEW
A. Review of Related Studies
Many people, newspapers and magazines reviewed Chua’s book, Battle
Hymn of the Tiger Mother whether they were pro or contra with the issue that
Chua brought in the book. Chua took an issue about different culture of Chinese
and American in the terms of parenting system. In the book, Chua stated how
Chinese has better parenting system than Americans’ and how Chinese parenting
system could help the parents on raising their children and produce talented and
successful children.
Janet Maslin in her review entitled But Will It All Make ‘Tiger Mom’
Happy in The New York Times stated as follows.
Ms. Chua was not about to raise prizeless slackers. She wanted prodigies,
even if it meant nonstop, punishing labor. So “Battle Hymn of the Tiger
Mother” chronicles its author’s constant demanding, wheedling, scolding
and screaming. It describes seemingly endless piano and violin sessions
that Ms. Chua supervised. (Her own schedule of teaching, traveling,
writing and dealing with her students goes mostly unmentioned — and
would require her to put in a 50-hour workday.) And it enforces a single
guiding principle that is more reasonable than all the yelling suggests:
“What Chinese parents understand is that nothing is fun until you’re good
at it” (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/20/books/20book.html?_r=1,
April 28, 2012).
According to Maslin’s review above, Chua tried to show how she applied
Chinese parenting system as a Chinese immigrant in America. Though it was not
easy and demanding, wheedling, scolding and screaming but it must be done
because Chua thought if it was the best way to raise her daughters.
7
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
8
On the other hand, Teresa Budasi in her review of Battle Hymn of the
Tiger Mother stated opinion about Chua’s book issue, the differences of parenting
system between Chinese and Westerners as follows.
It is difficult to critique Amy Chua’s book without commenting on her
parenting style. It’s been a hot topic in the news for several weeks.
“Western” parents, whom Chua classifies as too permissive and eager to
praise mediocrity, are in turn critical of the author’s “Chinese” style of
parenting, which in its most extreme form consists of drill sergeant-type
tactics and the seemingly constant reinforcement that “you’re not good
enough” (http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/books/3624456-421/
chua-book-parenting-chinese-amy.html, April 28, 2012).
From the quotation above, Teresa commented that Chinese Parenting
system was different from American parenting system. Based on her review
Chinese parenting system developed the children’s characteristics without paying
attention to the children’s self esteem. It would make the children tried to develop
their own characteristics. Budasi stated Chua’s issue was controversial because
she compared deeply between Chinese and American parenting systems.
In his review Tiger Mothers in Training, Po Bronson stated about the
positive impacts of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother to the parents’ system in
raising the children as follows.
American mothers and fathers are dying for permission to be a little
tougher on their kids... These parents have long wrestled with an internal
conflict, coddling their kids’ egos to protect their psyces, even as they’ve
suspected that approach might stunt their achievement. Battle Hymn of
the Tiger Mother resolves that contradiction. What it teaches is that kids
might actually want to get ahead just as much as their moms and dads
want them to-a message that relieves the guilt of achievement-driven
parents, freeing them to let up on the self-esteem boosting and
concentrate on the results (http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/70838/,
April 28, 2012).”
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
9
Bronson in the review emphasized that he was agree toward Chua’s issue
though there were many people disagree with that. Bronson said that Battle Hymn
of the Tiger Mother helped the parents to be more open minded toward other
culture and how it could give positive values for them. On the other hand,
Bronson argued that children need privacy to explore themselves and find their
self-esteem.
This research wants to show about the perspectives on Chinese parenting
system. On the other hand, it can be used to make the parents’ role clear and it
also can be the parents’ reflection to find the best parenting system in the process
of raising the children.
B. Review of Related Theories
1.
Theory on Character and Characterization
In A Glossary of Literary Terms, character is identified as “the person
presented in a dramatic or narrative work, who are interpreted by the reader as
being endowed with moral, dispositional, and emotional qualities by inferences
from what they say-dialogue and by what they do-the action (Abrams, 2009: 42).”
Based on the definition, character is one element of literary work which guides the
reader to know and understand the story and also to get many values from the
characters’ conversation and action in the story.
There are two types of characters. The first type is flat character which is
a single idea or quality that is presented without much individualizing detail, and
can be described adequately in a single phrase or sentence. The second type is
round character which is complex in temperament and motivation and is
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
10
represented with subtle particularly, such a character therefore is as difficult to
describe with describe in any adequacy as a person in real life, and like persons, is
capable of surprising us (Abrams, 2009: 43).
In A Handbook to Literature: Eleventh Edition, Harmon stated that the
creation of imaginary persons so that they seem lifelike is called characterization
(2009: 95). According to the definition, characterization is the way on making
characters or imaginary person being more alive and real.
M.J. Murphy in his book Understanding Unseen: An Introduction to
English Poetry and the English Novel for Overseas Students (1972: 161-173)
stated nine important points that are needed to understand the characteristics of a
character.
a.
Personal Description
The author describes the character by his/her physical appearance. The character
can be thin, fat, handsome, or bad looking. The clothes can describe the
character’s economical condition. The rich character can be shown by the good
quality of his/her clothes.
b.
Character as Seen by Another
The author describes the character from the eyes and opinions of the other
character’s opinion. The reader gets, as it were, a reflected image.
c.
Speech
The author describes the character in the novel through hat the character says in
the novel. It includes how is the character speak, whenever the character is in the
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
11
conversation with another, and how the character puts forward an opinion, he is
giving us clue to his character.
d.
Past Life
The author can describe the character by letting the reader know something about
the past life of the character. This way can be described by direct comment from
the author, the character’s thought, his/her conversation, or through the medium of
the another characters.
e.
Conversation of Others
The author can describe the character through his/her conversation with other
character and the things they say about the characters. People do talk about other
people and the things they say often give us clue to the character of the person
spoken about.
f.
Reactions
The author can describe the character by letting the reader know how he/she reacts
to various situations or events.
g.
Direct Comment
The author can describe or comment on a person’s character directly.
h.
Thought
The author can describe the character by letting the reader know what the
character is thinking about. In this respect he is able to do what we cannot do in
real life. He can tell us what different people are thinking. In the novel we accept
this. The reader then is in a privileged position; he has, as it were, a secret
listening device plugged in to the inmost thoughts of a person in a novel.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
i.
12
Mannerism
The author can describe the character’s manner and habits or idiosyncrasies,
which may also tell us something about the character.
2.
Theory on Conflict
Conflict is an important part of a story. Conflict will help to understand
the values or the main point of the story which the writer want to say. According
to A Handbook to Literature: Eleventh Edition, Harmon stated the definition of
conflict as follows.
The struggle that grows out of the interplay of the two opposing forces.
Conflict provides interest, suspense, and tension. At least one of the
opposing forces is customarily a person (2009: 123).
Based on the statement above, conflict happens because there are two
opposing forces or two differences point that the people or the objects stand for.
The conflict will give another feeling which can help on understanding the idea or
the main topic of the story.
There are some causes on conflict. On Social Science: An Introduction to
the Study of Society, Elgin F. Hunt explains about the causes of conflict as
follows.
A conflict does not always mean hate, hatred, or distrust. Conflict can
also happen just through the limit differences of opinion, perspectives,
judgments, and opposing arguments. This type of conflict happens
because group tends to evaluate certain matters based on its own
perception or point of view, which is influenced by their aspects of
culture, values, religion, belief, and norms or moral standards (1955: 3132).
The quotation above describes that conflict also can be influenced by
different view, norms, and another social aspect or culture which can make
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
13
different thought or mind set between one character and others. It means that, the
background of some people will influence their beliefs or minds about something.
In addition, conflict does not always happen between one character and
others however conflict can happen in some different ways. Harmon stated four
types of conflicts as follows.
(1) a struggle against nature. In this conflict, the protagonist deals with
natural forces (2) a struggle against another person, usually the antagonist
(3) a struggle against society. In this case, the protagonist may be having
a conflict with society norms or values (4) a struggle for mastery by the
elements within the person (Harmon, 2009: 123).
From the theories above, the writer knows that conflict can happen in
many situation and many things such as nature, another person, society and
his/herself. On the other hand, conflict relates to plot and it is not only a kind of
struggle of someone to somebody or something however it has purposes. The
purposes of conflict is revealed by Harmon in their book as follows.
Conflict implies not only the struggle of a protagonist against someone or
something, but also the existence of some motivation for the conflict or
some goal to be achieved thereby (2009: 123).
The goal or some motivation that will be achieved on the existence of
conflict in a story is not only to know about the problem of the story. It is also
used to understand about the main idea or the theme which the story want to
show.
3.
The Relation between Literature and Society
Abcarian and Klotz in their book Literature: Reading and Writing the
Human Experience sataed about the definition of literature as follows.
The word literature means different things to different people. To some,
it suggests imaginative works of exceptional quality. To others, it refers
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
14
to written works that have held up to repeated readings by various
audiences over time (1998: 1).
In addition there are some media which can become the author’s basic
idea on producing the literary work, it is described in Literature: Reading and
Writing the Human Experience as follows.
Many authors acknowledge that their work is shaped by other writers and
the literature has spoken to them most directly and powerfully. Authors
frequently write about what happens around them and thereby express
historically situated ideas, feelings, and values (Abcarian and Klotz,
1998: 3).
Based on the description of literature and the way of the author create
their idea, memoir can be a part of literature because memoir is described as, “a
form of autobiographical writing dealing usually with the recollections of those
who have been a part of or have witnessed significant events (Halmon and
Horman, 1986: 296).” Memoir is a part of literature because it is a written work
which read by the audiences or readers. It also has the similar basic idea with the
other literary work such as it reflects the author’s environment life or the situation
or events which happens around and it also can reflect the idea or values of the
society or the author.
Based on book The Mirror and the Lamp: Romantic Theory and the
Critical Tradition, the relation between literature and society can be seen from
mimetic theories. The mimetic orientation is the explanation of art as essentially
an imitation of aspects of the universe. Abrams said as follows.
The arts of paintings, poetry, music, dancing and sculpture are imitations.
‘Imitations’ is a relation term, signifying two items and some
correspondence between them. But, although in many later mimetic
theories everything is comprehended in two categories, the imitable and
imitation, the philosopher in Platonic dialogues characteristically
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
15
operates with three categories. The first categories is that of the eternal
and unchanging Ideas; the second, reflecting this, is the world of sense,
natural or artificial; and the third category, in turn reflecting the second,
comprises such thing as shadows, images in water and mirrors, and the
fine arts (1953: 8).
Abrams also said that, “Those objects in the universe that art imitates, or
should imitate, were variously conceived as either actual or in some sense ideal;
and from the first, there was a tendency to replace Aristotle’s ‘action’ as the
principle object of imitation with such elements as human character, or thought, or
even inanimate things (1953: 11).”
Literature has closed relationship with society because literature can
express the condition and situation that is happening. It can reflect in the figure of
character, plot, setting or in the issue which is brought in the literary work.
4.
Theory on Parenting System
a.
Theory on Family’s Role
Family is a first place for children to know about human relation and life
before they see another kind of human relation and life in the bigger society. In a
family, children learn to develop their characteristics and they learn how they
have to behave or face the environment around. In the process of raising children,
the parents’ role is needed because they are very influential in the process of
raising the children. It is supported by Daniel A. Lord in his book Some Notes for
the Guidance of Parents said that “From parents, the preordained teachers, the
child gets all the fundamentals of living. The gift of language is a parental gift.
His first human habits are formed in imitation of his parents’ actions (1944: 11).”
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
16
In addition, parents are people who have the biggest role in the process of raising
children because they are the role model for their children.
In a family, the role of the family’s member relates to the type of the
family because the family’s type will establish the roles of each family’s
members. In his book Social Science: An Introduction to the Study of Society,
Elgin F. Hunt describes about the type of family and the description of each
family’s type as follows.
There are three family control patterns which are father control, or
patriarchy; mother control, or matriarchy; and shared control, or the
egalitarian family. In patrilineal system the father is not only the head of
the family but he also considers that the children belong to him and that
he has authority over their lives, even, in some cases, giving or selling
them in marriage. In matrilineal system, the mother does not usually have
the direct control, as one might suppose. More often it is the mother’s
brother who wields authority and controls the children. The family takes
the mother’s name, and usually lives with the mother’s family. The
husband may continue to spend much of his time with his own mother’s
and sister’s families; and since with his children he has no status as far as
control is concerned, he can be more of a playmate and friend to them. In
the egalitarian system, each family member is respected as a personality,
and even the children may have a part in making family decision (1955:
174-176).
Based on the statement of Hunt’s above, the writer concludes that all of
family’s members have their own role. It depends on the family’s type that is used
by the family because in each of those types, the roles of family’s members are
different. Hunt also states that, “No one type of family has been universal among
mankind. The patterns have varied from time to time and place to place with
changing social and economic conditions” (1955: 174). It means that every place
in the world have their own type of family related to their culture, society and also
economic conditions.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
17
On the other hand, parents’ culture can influence the pattern in raising
children. It is stated in Bush’s dissertation entitled Parenting Behaviors and the
Self-Esteem and Academic Achievement of European-American, Mainland
Chinese, and Russian Adolescents: Conformity and Autonomy As Intervening
Variables that “Parents in cultures described as collectivistic focus on fostering
interdependence and conformity in their children which is seen as leading to
highly desired outcomes such as promoting group harmony and academic
achievement (http://etd.ohiolink.edu/send-pdf.cgi/Bush%20Kevin%20Ray.pdf?os
u1282748438, March 8, 2012).” It means that, there is a connection between
culture and parents’ system on raising their children. Culture relates to the
parenting systems because it can be one way for the parents to promote their
culture and show how good it is for the children.
b. Theory on American Parenting System
There are some terms of family, small family that consists of father,
mother, and their children and a large family which is not only father, mother and
children but also their relatives, such as grandparents, aunts, uncle, etc. Some
places on this world have different definition on describing the meaning of family.
On American family the definition of family is explained by Althen in his book,
American Ways: Guide for Foreigners in the United States as follows.
The term of “family” for Americans is usually referring to a father, a
mother, and their children. This is called “nuclear family.” Grandparents,
aunts, uncles, cousins, and others who might be labeled “family” in many
other countries are “relatives” in American terminology. These usages
reflect the fact that, for most Americans, the family is a small group of
people, not an extended network. (1988: 48).
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
18
Based on Althen’s statements on the term of American family, the term
of family in America is a group of people that consists of father, mother and their
children. The grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and others are not family
because they are labeled as relatives.
In addition, as one group of people who lives together, each of the
family’s members have different roles. Althen explains about the roles of family’s
member on his book as follows.
The father has responsible for things outside the house: maintaining the
family car (or cars) and the yard. He would be expected to take care of
whatever home repairs and improvements were within his capabilities.
The mother was responsible for matters inside the house: cleaning, caring
for the children, shopping for groceries and clothing, and preparing
meals. The children are expected to contribute at least in some measure
to home maintenance. They are responsible for certain “chores,” such as
washing dishes, vacuuming carpets, and keeping their rooms clean (1988:
49).
Althen’s statement above is the description of the main role of family’s
member in American family. It is the basic role that being the responsibility of
each members. However, the role changes especially on the mother’s role which
caused of the roles of women have been similar with man in the outside. It means
that the existence of woman in the outside influences their role as a mother.
In her essay entitle The Family: Genus Americanum, Ruth Benedict
stated about the mother’s role in American family as follows.
In the United States the mother is the chief responsible agent in bringing
up her children: here the father’s opinions are something the children are
more likely to play off against the mother’s (Benedict, 1949:165).
According to Benedict’s statements above, an American mother has a big
role to raise their children. The mother has a role to protect the children more than
the father. It makes a kind of difference authority between the mother and father.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
19
Here, the father lacks authority compared to the mother. It can be used by the
children to reject or avoid the mother’s authority. Benedict adds that American
mother gives freedom to the children to manage their own choice in life. Benedict
reflects that, “An American mother expects a child of three or four to be a
responsible moral agent, and she gives him latitude in which to prove that he can
manage his little affairs by himself” (1949: 165).
Ruth Benedict in her article The Family: Genus Americanum stated about
the relationship between mother and children in an American family as follows.
For a great part of the working day, American children are the
responsibility of the teacher and not of the mother. As nursery schools
spread over the country, younger and younger children get trained care
outside the home and the mother’s labors are correspondingly relieved.
As the children grow older the mother’s leisure increases, until finally
she reaches that idle middle age with its round of card parties and clubs
and window shopping and movies which engross and waste the energy of
so many millions of American women (Benedict, 1949: 163-164).
Based on the quotation above, the effect of global industry in America is
the role of mother at home changed by the teacher at school. It causes there is no
close relationship between mother and children because the mother focuses on her
job. In this case, the children try to control their own life without the parents or
especially the mother’s guidance.
On the other hand, even though the American parents can not give more
attention to the children as perfect as the other parents but they give the children
freedom to state their opinion and to choose their choice. It can help the parents to
build the children’s characteristics and making them be more responsible towards
their own life. It is stated in Althen’s book American Ways: Guide for Foreigners
in the United States as follows.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
20
Even very young children are given opportunities to make their own
choices and express their opinions. Indeed, American child-rearing
manuals state that the parents’ objective in raising a child is to create a
responsible, self-reliant individual who, by the age of 18 or so, is ready to
move out of the parents’ house and make his or her own way in life.
Americans takes this advice very seriously, so much so that a person
beyond the age of about 20 who is still living at home with his or her
parents may be thought to be “immature,” “tied to the mother’s apron
strings,” or otherwise unable to lead a normal, independent life” (1988:
4-5).
Based on the explanation above, American parents’ roles in raising the
children are as a guide who shows them what they can do or what they can choose
in life. Moreover, the parents give freedom to the children to find the best choice
and decision for their life.
In addition, the freedom of children can stimulate “teenager rebellion” if
the parents are not look after the children. The freedom enables the children to
express their opinion or thought when they are disagreeing to the other ideas. In
his book, Althen said, “Americans assume that adolescence is inherently a period
of turmoil. Teenagers are expected to be self-centered, moody, and uncooperative
while they seek to “find themselves” or “establish their personal identities” as
individuals separate from others in the family” (1988: 50-51). It means that in the
children’s process of finding their personal identities, the parents’ role is needed
to create a good environment for the children’s place learning. It also can help the
parents to control the children’s unstable characteristics and make them be well
behaved.
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
c.
21
Theory on Chinese Parenting System
China is one of some places on the world which the parents take control
on their family’s life especially on their children’s life. It means that father and
mother has the responsibility as decision maker in the family. Hsu in his essay,
The Family in China explains about Chinese traditional family as follows.
The backbone of the family in traditional China is the father-son
relationship. While the parents are alive it is the son’s duty to support and
obey them; after their death it is the son’s duty to continue the support
and obedience by providing proper funerals and entering into ancestors
worship. But then, the era changed and Chinese find that the ideal family
is small family consisti