Tiger Moms: More Talk Than Walk?

Earlier this year author and Yale law professor Amy Chua created a firestorm with a piece in The Wall Street Journal touting the strict "Chinese Mother" upbringing she received and that influences her with her own children. 

She asserts that this regimen, centered on academic rigor and music appreciation, is superior to American-style parenting that includes more playdates, sleepovers and TV time. 

Her piece, which has received nearly 9,000 comments online, the most in the newspaper website's history, continues to spark discussion about which method produces well-adjusted young people best prepared to take on the challenges of adult life. Some think Chua's perspective is full of generalizations that need to be taken with a grain of salt. 

Some parenting experts think a blend of both styles might be most appropriate in an American society that rewards both socialization and success.

A few questions to answer in the comments section below:

Q. What do you think of the "Tiger Moms" phenomenon?

Q. What components of Chua's philosophy do you apply with your own children? Which ones do you discard?

Q. How much do social activities play in the lives of your children? Are they more or less important than academic achievement, and how do you try to strike a balance?

Q. If you've followed any of Chua's prescriptions, how have your children responded? Have they been worthwhile to try?