I found the section in our book about emotional control and culture fascinating. Not only do different cultures emphasize control of particular emotions (Hong et al, 2000; J. G. Miller, 2004; Stubben, 2001), cultures differ in control strategies as well (Matsumoto, 2004). Control of fear in children was listed as heavily emphasized by the United States, which makes sense to me since I know of many parents that encourage their kids to be brave and to take chances. I also noticed China as having pride as an emotion that they want to their children to have control in. I have some friends or Chinese ascendance that take their work and accomplishments very seriously, while knowing when to be humble about it. The book does point out though that in some cultures "pride goeth before a fail" and people who "have no shame" are considered mentally ill (Stein, 2006). I feel as is the Chinese culture or any culture that emphasizes children having pride to not get too caught up in it. I think some families look at their kids as tiny reflections of themselves and that if their children fail, then that they too as parents are failing. Children make many mistakes and aren't all the way mature mentally or emotionally yet. While teaching teaching kids respect, manners, and right from wrong is important, personal fails such as not getting a perfect grade on a test shouldn't be taken too seriously. It's not always a reflection on the parents and might just be part of the growth process of the child. I remember growing up knowing some of my friends parents grounding them for not getting straight A's but instead only some A's and some B's. This is where emphasis on pride is crossing the line. Emphasis on other emotions such a fear, anger, aggression, and impatience can have the same kind of effect. Moderate balance on emphasis on each can be healthy though.
Citations:
Berger, Kathleen. (2011). The Developing Person Through the Life Span. New York, NY : Worth Publishers.
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