Thirteen years ago, Amy Chua's book "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother" stirred up controversy. Despite the debates, however, her strict parenting style has become more widespread, especially among the upper middle class.
Recently, the New York Times published an article entitled "Where Should You Raise Your Children?" Fremont, California was highlighted as the top city. Fremont, located between Oakland and San Jose, has a population of 230,000, with more than 60% being Asian. Irvine, California, with over 40% Asian residents, came in third place, followed by Plano, Texas, which is known for its highly educated Asian immigrant community. These cities are attractive to families prioritizing good schools and safety, often leading to neighborhoods with many Asian families.
Many parents, regardless of ethnicity, seem drawn to the "tiger parent" approach, or at least to living near others who embrace it. One father shared his personal experience. He said that his seven-year-old daughter doesn’t take piano or violin lessons or attend after-school tutoring, but he made sure she could read before kindergarten by having nightly sessions with a reading guide. He and his wife also require their kid to write a page each night before she can use screens. He believes this practice, which he also had to do as a child, helped him become a proficient writer and is grateful for it now, even if he wasn't always appreciative back then.
Amy Chua herself notes the rise of tiger parenting in different forms. Parents today might not admit to being tiger parents, but their dedication to their children's activities reveals their competitive nature. Chua mentions that while her book initially shocked people, this style of parenting is now more common. Modern tiger parents might simply focus on niche areas like art or environmental projects rather than traditional pursuits like piano or violin.
Chua differentiates tiger parenting from snowplow parenting, where parents remove all obstacles for their children, and helicopter parenting, where parents oversee every decision. She believes tiger parenting is generally beneficial, as it teaches children that mastering skills requires effort and perseverance.
So while permissive parenting, which emphasizes play and allows children to follow their dreams without much discipline, might seem appealing, it often leads to unprepared adults. In contrast, tiger parenting instills the understanding that achieving something valuable requires hard work and practice.
Picture: Representation of a tiger-mom (Designer)
