International Teacher Education Conference 2014 1

International Teacher Education Conference 2014
Asian Parenting Styles and Academic Achievement Through the Lens of
Confucianism
Grace H. C. Huang a Mary Gove b *
ª b Cleveland State University
Abstract
In light of the consistent Asian students PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) data results, this
paper examines Asian parenting style and its relationship with students’ academic performance through the lens
of Confucianism. A literature review supports this conceptual paper that examines parenting styles and
Confucianism’s influences. Concerning parenting styles, the authors were drawn to the media phenomenon
created by Amy Chua’s book Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother about Chua’s parenting experiences raising two
daughters. Chua’s parenting style is quite strict by US standards. The authors classify her style as mixed ethnic
minority and authoritarian parenting style. In this presentation, a framework of variables is introduced that
defines each style, i.e. responsiveness to the child’s needs, demandingness, and the extent interests of the child
are encouraged. These variables are linked to Confucianism that is embedded in Asian culture and places value
on education at societal, familial, and individual level.
Keywords. Confucianism, parenting styles, academic achievement, academic performance, Asian students
INTRODUCTION
The US media touts an achievement gap between white and African Americans and between white and
Hispanic Americans so the general public tends to be aware of this achievement gap. However, less media
attention is given to another achievement gap: the one between Asian Americans and Caucasian Americans.
(Yong & Wei, 2009). Asian Americans out score whites, especially in mathematics, science and other technical
areas. The latest PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) survey, an international educational
survey conducted every three years by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
released in 2012, indicated the top five overall ranking, including Shanghai (China), Singapore, Hong Kong,
Taiwan, and South Korea, are all Asian countries (Brown, 2013). In the U.S., Asian American score higher on
the SAT and ACT, and are overrepresented among winners of different prestigious scholarships, such as
National Merit, US Presidential, and Westinghouse Science talent Search Scholars (Flynn, 1991; Zhao & Qiu,
2009). Hildebrand, Phenice, Gray, & Hines (2008) indicated that Asian Americans have become the largest
ethnic minority group in many career fields and at many elite colleges. 1n 2003, 51 percent of Asian American
males and 44 percent of females age 25 and older had a bachelor’s degree or higher compared with 32 percent of
non-Hispanic white males and 27 percent of non-Hispanic white females. In 1980, Asian Americans comprised
only 1.5 percent of the population but Asian Americans consisted of 5 percent of all engineers and 8 percent of
all doctors in the United States.
Why do Asian students attain such high academic performance in mathematics, science, reading, and
technical fields? In this conceptual paper, we will relate parenting style and concepts involved in Confucianism
on Asians’ high academic performance. Drawing from western parenting theories, literature, and eastern
philosophy, we examine relationships among Asian parenting style and Confucian influences on children’s
academic achievement.
Parenting Styles: Theories and Literature
Our interest in Asian parenting style drew from the media attention given to Amy Chua’s (2011) book, Battle
Hymn of the Tiger Mother. Chua’s views and practices raised much controversy regarding parent-child
interaction. Public and media began debating and discussing different views and practices about parenting
(Chang, 2011; Chua, 2011; Flanagan, 2011; Husbands, 2012; Kohler, Kilgo, & Christensen, 2012a; Kohler,
E-mail address: g.h.huang@csuohio.edu m.gove@csuohio.edu
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