Authoritarian Parenting in Shaping the Characteristics of Ruth Young in Amy Tan�s The Bonesetter�s Daughter

Abstract

This undergraduate study discusses The Bonesetters Daughter, a novel which was written by Amy Tan. It tells about the life of a mother, Luling Young, and her daughter, Ruth Young. This study focuses on Luling and Ruth in their past and present conditions. Throughout Ruths life, Luling practiced an authoritarian parenting style which appealed to the researcher to analyze the cause and effect of Lulings parenting style in shaping Ruths characteristics and behaviors. Two problems were formulated to limit the study. The objectives of this research are to answer: (1) how Luling Young showed the authoritarian parenting in the novel, and (2) how the authoritarian parenting shaped Ruth Youngs characteristics. The first analysis of the study shows that as an authoritarian parent, Luling Young is low on affection, high on behavioral control and high on psychological control. Luling rarely communicates well and shows physical affections towards Ruth. She is also highly demanding and controlling in Ruths life. Besides, she is quick-tempered over small problems and sometimes shows love withdrawal. Those acts of authoritarian parenting style influence Ruths characteristics. The first effect is Ruths internalizing behaviors. Due to the combination of Lulings low affection and high psychological control, Ruth has anxiety, is fearful, suicidal and skeptical of her mother. Those are happened because the restriction and oppression which are given by Luling affect Ruths mental state. The second outcome is Ruths externalizing behaviors which come from a combination of high behavioral control and high psychological control. Ruth becomes hesitant in talk, explosive-tempered and suicidal. Therefore, Luling Youngs practice of an authoritarian parenting influences the characteristics-shaping of Ruth Young.Keywords: authoritarian parenting, characteristic shaping