Explain Why Jing-Mei Is More American Than China

Why Jing-mei is More American Than Chinese
Did you know that in Ancient China, a parent could legally kill their children if they were disobedient? It's not legal now, but Chinese parents still expect their children to be obedient. In Chinese culture, family values and expectations are very important. So when Jing-mei is disobedient, it shows that she has been affected by American culture. This shows that Jing-mei is more American than Chinese because she has the American thought that she has the right to be herself and no one can change that, she shows independence, and argues with her mother. That fact conflicts with her mother because she want Jing-mei to be the perfect Chinese prodigy.
One reason Jing-mei is more American than Chinese

is because she thinks that she has the right to be herself and no one could change her. This can be shown with this quote, "I won't let her change me, I promised myself. I won't be what I'm not."(page 101). You can tell from this quote that she thinks no one can make her change. Jing-mei doesn't accept the fact that people will try to change her. She thinks that no one can force her to be someone else. She thinks no one will ever make her do something she doesn't really want to do.
Additionally, Jing-mei is more American than Chinese because she shows independence. She shows that she does what she wants to do just because she can. It is shown in this quote that she does her activities in her own way. "Over the next year I practiced like this, dutifully in my own way." From this quote you can tell that she wants and will do her activities her own way. Furthermore, she shows that when she can, she will do her activities the way she thinks they should be done.
Also, Jing-mei argues with her mother more than normal. This trait can be classified because in the Chinese culture, children are supposed to obey their parents without question. Still, Jing-mei argues with her mom constantly over anything and everything. Here is a quote that shows Jing-mei and her mother arguing. "Then I wish I weren't your daughter, I wish you weren't my mother." This quote shows just one of many times that Jing-mei and her mother argue.
At last, Jing-mei's actions of showing independence from her mom, getting into fights with her mother, and thinking that she can be herself and no one can change her, proves that she is more American than Chinese. Jing-mei showing independence, arguing with her mother, and thinking that she can be herself and no one can change her support the claim that she is more American than Chinese because they all show her being somewhat disobedient. In Chinese culture, every parent expects their child to be very talented and obedient. So, with the fact that being obedient is something from Chinese culture and Jing-mei is disobedient, it proves that Jing-mei is more American than Chinese. Now knowing a little about Chinese culture, what do you think our society would look like if everyone put obedience and family values so high on their priorities but our government was the same? How do you think it would be different?