Wow! She didn’t allow her daughter to eat for 8 hours until she practiced the piano??!! One of my daughters is a very accomplished Oboist. She may go into this as a future career, teacher, professor or performer. Either way, if she didn’t eat for 8 hours and was forced to practice, the practice would be counterproductive if she were that hungary. So just what did this accomplish for Ms. Chua? Also, my daughter has several music teachers, many in top Orchestras, who say the willingness to practice and therefore become successful comes from within and can’t be forced.
Our family worked in the music industry for decades. Our accomplishments include a Gold and Platinum records. I don’t state this to brag. Our family understands the importance of productive practicing.
Chua’s form of discipline is wholly counter-productive, and abusive, I might add. Keep in mind that her daughter was just a child when this anecdote was expressed in the book. As you know, children will do what they must in order to survive. Amy Chua’s daughters can testify to that.