Research problem

An investigation of the impacts of growing up with overly strict Asian parents in Philipsburg,
St.Maarten.
 Introduction

Being a child who has had overly strict Asian parents for their whole life, the researcher
observed that many other children also suffer from the effects of overly strict Asian parents. The
reason “An investigation of the impacts of growing up with overly strict Asian parents in
Philipsburg, St.Maarten” was chosen as the topic because many Asian children get controlled by
their parents and suffer from low self-esteem. This research attempts to investigate as many
impacts, causes and effects of overly strict parenting in Asian households of Philipsburg.
 Aim

1. To investigate the effects that overly strict Asian parents have on their children

Objectives

1. To implement strategies to prevent overly strict Asian parents from abusing their power.
2. To relate the research statement to particular ethnic groups.
3. To examine the ways in which socio-economic factors affect social development of
children.
4. To outline the signs of overly strict Asian parents.
 Literature Review

Skenazy (2009) argues in the book “Free-Range Kids: How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant
Children (Without Going Nuts with Worry)” that many parents do not see a difference between
letting their kids walk to school and letting them walk through a firing range; childhood is full of
risks, but protecting them does more harm than good. In the present overscheduled world, kids
still need to be kids by having fun and time to explore, rather than being hindered by scheduled
exercises or activities. By doing specific things on their own, children learn independence, self-
confidence, and awareness of their environment, which assist them with succeeding sometime in
life.
Chan (2020) states in the book “How to Deal with Asian Parents” that some parents are
overly strict, while others are toxic. Some don’t show emotional support, while others try to
control your life. Some criticize excessively and compare you like an object, while others belittle
and treat you like a child. It’s like they don’t get it that there are different generations, different
upbringings, different social landscapes, different cultures and different languages. Chio (2021)
states in her blog about the signs of overly strict parents “15 Signs Parents Are Being Too Strict
Towards Their Child” that too many rules, emotional blackmail, constant whipping, broken
communication and saying no to most things are the major signs. There are many parents who
are too strict when disciplining a child, without knowing their actions. Despite most people
thinking that strict parenting results in better-behaved kids, there is a difference between being
firm and overly strict.
Baron (2003) proves on his website “How Socioeconomic Status Impacts Early
Childhood Development” that your socioeconomic status from before birth and through your
early years of life is based on your parents, since they are the ones financially responsible for you
and your early development. Your parents' socioeconomic status will determine many things
about your early development: how you view the world; what, how much, and how often you
eat; the type of early childhood education; your overall health; or how others view you. It also
impacts your later success or failure in life. Noelle (2013) points out strategies to deal with
overly strict parents on her blog “How to Deal With Overprotective Parents and Gain Your
Freedom”. She stated that three steps must be done to gain freedom from overprotective parents
like prepare yourself and your resolve, make your stand and be patient and keep trying. Parents
always say “given a little freedom and then watch you take advantage of it”, it really is a trigger
when you actually don’t take advantage of it.
Druckerman (2014) reflects in her book “Bringing Up Bébé” that provides new
viewpoints about parenting with dignity, common sense, and patience. It is important for parents
to have high expectations for their children and be involved in their lives, but they also need to
adopt a more relaxed approach to parenting. Instead of constantly worrying about and hovering
over their children and shuttling them off to different classes and events all the time, parents
should help them lead simpler lives.
Research Design
 Questionnaires were used to collect data and were distributed through a convenience
sampling method. Respondents were sent a link by the researcher and those who consented to
participate answered the questionnaire. The findings were organized and information relevant to
the aims of the research were separated. The utilization of primary sources of information helped
the researcher in reasoning conclusions. The questionnaire as a tool for collecting data has
advantages and disadvantages suited to the title of the research paper, these include the
following:

Advantages:
1. It connects with many individuals who couldn't in any case be reached.
2. Offers a quick way to get results

Disadvantages:
1. Individuals answer dishonestly.

Sociological Perspective

The research explored the impacts of overly strict Asian parents on their children in a
small community. Functionalism was the sociological perspective used since the effects are
about the nature of mental states. To functionalists, such as Durkheim and Parsons, ways of
behaving are passed on from generation to generation. “People act on the basis of their values;
their actions are oriented and constrained by the values and norms of people around them; and
these norms and values are the basis of social order” (Functionalism and Parsons 2002).

Selection of Sample

Respondents who were easy to contact were sent the link of the questionnaire so that they
can participate in the research. The researcher selected residents of Philipsburg where she used to
live to participate in the study. The research sample consisted of fifteen (15) Asian households
from three (3) streets to whom the questionnaire was sent to. There are approximately 75 Asian
households in Philipsburg and 20% of the households were interviewed.

Data Collection Instruments

To investigate the impacts of growing up with overly strict Asian parents in Philipsburg,
questionnaires were used as the primary source of data collection. The questions in the
questionnaire were related to the aim of the research in order to obtain information. Some
advantages of using a questionnaire to obtain information are that it is comparable and offers a
quick way to get results.

#17 Pelican Road,

Back Bay, St.Maarten

13th October, 2021

Dear Respondent,
The researcher is a Sociology student that is investigating the impacts of overly strict Asian
parents in Philipsburg for her CAPE Sociology Internal Assessment. Your cooperation in this
survey is kindly requested where you are required to put a check preceding your selected option
for the question and for open-ended questions, you must respond succinctly. This assessment is
confidential therefore your feedback will be confidential as well.

Yours Respectfully,
Ridhi Parwani

1. What is your gender?

● Female
● Male

2. Which age group do you belong to?

● 11- 14 years
● 15-18 years
● 18+ years

3. Which Asian ethnicity are you?

● Indian
● Chinese
● Malaysian
● Filipino
● Korean
● Other

4. Do you have overly strict parents?

● Yes
● No

5. If yes, then what type of parents are yours?

● Authoritative (one who has reasonable demands and high responsiveness)
● Authoritarian (one who focus more on obedience, discipline, control rather than nurturing
their child)

6. At what time are you supposed to go to bed?

● 6pm- 8pm
● 8pm- 10pm
● 10pm- 12am
● Whenever I want

7. How old were you when you were allowed to have a phone?
● 8-10 years
● 11-13 years
● 14-16 years
● 17-19 years

8. Were you allowed to have social media at a young age?

● Yes
● No

9. If yes, then how often do they stalk your social media?

● Every day
● Every week
● Every month
● Every few months

10. How many hours a day do your parents let you use your phone?
● 1-5 hours
● 6-10 hours
● 11-15 hours
● As long as I want

11. How often are you allowed to go out with friends?

● Never
● Every day
● Once a week
● Once a month
● Once every few months

12. Have your friends ever made fun of you for having strict parents?
● Yes, very often
● No, because they relate as well
● Sometimes

13. How good are you at social development?

● Pretty good
● Somewhat good
● Not too good

14. Would you say that you have low self-esteem or high self-esteem?
● Low self- esteem
● High self-esteem

15. Do you have insecurities?

● Yes
● No

16. If yes then, what made you feel that way?

● My parents
● My friends
● Social media
● Other

17. If you were ever grounded, what kind of rules do you have to follow?
● Any or all fun activities were not allowed
● Had to do extra chores around the house
● No phone and video games were allowed
● Not allowed to hang out with friends

18. What do you do for fun that your parents make you do?
● Read books
● Play sports
● Play video games
● Hang out with friends

19. What grades do your parents expect you to receive?

● Straight A’s
● As long as I pass
● They don’t really care about grades
● Anything around average

20. How freaked out do you get if you get a bad grade?
● Very scared
● Not really, I will just make up an excuse
● I would cry
● I would try to hide the grade from them

21. Did you or do you still lie to your parents?

● I didn’t dare to lie
● Yes and I rarely got caught
● Very rarely
● Yes and I always got caught

22. How often would your parents listen to you?

● Almost never
● All the time
● Often, but never when we are arguing
● About 70% of the time

23. Did you ever try to run away?

● Yes, but was too afraid to
● No, I never thought about it
● Occasionally i think about it
● Yes, and I actually did at one point

24. If yes you did, then how did they react?

25. What is something(s) you wish your parents would understand about their actions?