Rationale:
The text is an editorial taken from TODAYonline, a Singapore newspaper, based on Part 1:
Language and Culture. This editorial is directed at Chinese parents in Singapore, warning them
to be careful about the words they use on their children. Some verbal cues used by Chinese
parents in Singapore to drive their child’s academic endeavors may result in negative
repercussions. The existence of this editorial sheds light on how culture influences the words
we use, and the language used my parents is important in shaping a child’s life. This provokes
Singaporean Chinese parents to ponder on how they can use their words to motivate their
children. Being influenced by the Chinese and Singaporean culture, parents use condemning
words to motivate their child to do well in their studies. Sometimes, this may backfire, so they
should choose their words carefully.
A cause-and-effect structure was used, as the words that parents are used are mentioned, and
the effects that they have on the child are explained. This gives readers a greater understanding
of how these words can influence a child, and hence making them question themselves if they
have used these words on their child. The genre of this text is also effective in conveying the
message, as an editorial allows for the personal voice to be heard, and opinions can be shared.
The editorial was taken from a local newspaper, which can easily reach the targeted audience.
The text might be biased as not all Singaporean Chinese Parents use these words on their
children. Moreover, this issue might not be exclusive to Singaporean Chinese parents of other
nationalities and races might also have this issue. A Chinese idiomatic expression was used in
the opening lines of the text, to set the context that the text is situated in, as it shows how the
Chinese culture could have influenced the words that Chinese parents use. Declarative
sentences were used to make to reinforce the statements that were made.
WHY ARE U WRITING THIS ARTICLE
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM IN THE COMMUNITY
WHY IS THIS THE PROBLEM
VERBAL ABUSE IS PART OF CHILD UPBRINGING IN THE CHINESE COMMUNITY
WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM
WHAT HAS RESEARCH SAID ABOUT THE POWER OF LANGUAGE AND
EMOTIONAL WELFARE
WHAT IS BEING DONE IN THE COMMUNITY TO ADDRESS
WHERE ARE THE GAPS AND WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING
SCOLDING OR SCALDING THAT HAS NEVER MADE A DIFFERENCE TO THE
CHINESE CHILD IN SINGAPORE
UPBRINGING IS KEY TO A PARENT, BUT IT SEEMS TO BE DOWNBRINGING
FEATURE ARTICLE IN A MAGAZINE
Words used by Singaporean Chinese Parents
By Elysaa Lim
‘A Chinese child stressed out from studying.’ Photograph: Tom Wang/Shutterstock
There is a Chinese idiomatic expression of “望子成龙、望女成凤” （wàng zǐ chéng lóng ,
wàng nǚ chéng fèng）, translated as wishing for sons to become “dragons”, daughters to
become “phoenixes”. This signifies the expectations of Chinese parents on their child having
a bright future. Evidential of being embedded in its linguistic culture, Chinese parents often
put much pressure on their child to do well in school. Singapore being a Metropolitan city, this
expectation is further magnified in Singapore Chinese parents. They may be critical or even
use abusive words towards their child in the push to excel in scholastic endeavour. This may
have rectifying effects on the child by acting as a catalyst for cultivating a more studious
attitude and thriving in school. However, the adverse effects on the child’s mental health may
outweigh the benefits of the approach.
Being from a Singaporean Chinese family, I
have a first-hand experience of this norm. My
parents have always intimidated me with the
phrase “study hard or else you will have no
future.”. This is a common theme among by
Chinese parents when dealing with their
child’s academic pursuit. It is in the hope that
their child will work hard in school so that they
can go to prestigious universities followed by
a well-paid and respectable job. Many Chinese
parents believe that in order to be successful in life, this is the ultimate path. Success is
measured by earning power and prestige level of the profession. Often, traditional top of the
list of desirable careers include doctors and lawyers.
By reiterating the verb “study” and sometimes reinforcing with punitive measures, the outcome
can go either way. A child may either listen to their parents and diligently strive for academic
success or do the exact opposite. Part of growing up includes being rebellious, with some
having a higher defiant factor than others. This means that parents’ effort in pushing their child
to study hard may backfire. Instead of diligence, apathy may set in.
Mental conditioning of the word “no future”, may also inflict harm on their child’s mental
health rather than increase tenacity. The phrase “study hard or else you will have no future”.
creates a belief in Chinese children that doing well in school is a must in life. Academic failure
equates to lifelong failure. Constant drilling by parents of this “wisdom” sometimes creates
negative development. Imprinted with the words “no future”, the child may constantly feel
anxious about not doing well in school even when paramount efforts have been put in.
Despite studying hard, some children may still do badly in school, due to wrong approaches in
learning or sometimes just pure “bad luck” during assessments. However, parents may still
address their child as “stupid” for getting low grades. This demoralising adjective lowers the
child’s confidence. The repetitive calling of their child “stupid” may become a subliminal
message, causing the child to lose confidence due to a sub-conscious belief of being “stupid”.
Thus reducing the fighting spirit.
Less tenacious children may just give up for the rest of their lives. Not all human beings are
built for academic pursuit. Constant iteration of studying hard equates academic success
equates lifelong success may cause some children to give up on their future. This in turn creates
a self-fulfilling prophesy for parents if the child is not academically inclined. Parents should
note that studying hard does not guarantee good grades. Not studying hard also does not mean
that their children would have “no future”, as there are other means and definition of being
successful in life. Some people may not be good at studies, but may have other talents such as
singing or craftsmanship.
Megan, a 16 year-old girl from a Chinese family in Singapore was asked about her childhood.
She ranted that her parents always had high expectations for her to get good grades. They would
always compare her with her cousins. If her cousins did better than her, her parents would label
her as “stupid”. This was very discouraging for her as she had tried her best in school.
Ultimately she developed anxiety when taking exams which further caused her performance to
falter. When she progressed to secondary school, she decided to disregard what her parents had
to say. Giving up on her studies, her grades went on a downward spiral. The word “stupid”
used by her parents resulted in negative effects on Megan’s studies.
Parents should not over instil the idea that not studying hard would lead to “no future”, as it
may cause adverse effects instead. Alternatively, parents can rephrase the same idea by saying
“Studying is good for your future!”. This may have a more effective motivating effect instead
of one utilising fear factor. Instead of degrading word such as “stupid”, encouraging words
such as “Well done!” can be used when parents see their child putting in effort. They can also
say consoling phrases like, “It’s okay, you have tried your best.” to boost morale when
academic results are less than expected.
To Chinese parents reading this, don’t you think that we should be more selective of the words
we use to motivate our children?