However, she does explore the key general differences between the two groups. In her book, Chua recognises that not all Chinese parents are the same, just as not all Western parents are the same. If her children got less than an A in any subject, they were punished. In the book, Chua outlines some of the things her daughters were never allowed to do, including having playdates and sleepovers, watching TV, and choosing their own extracurricular activities. The Chinese way, as Chua explains, encourages excellence via suffering and hard work. The American-born daughter of Chinese immigrants, Chua raised her two daughters the Chinese way, rather than the Western way. The term ‘tiger mom’ was coined by author and Yale University Law professor Amy Chua in her 2011 book “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother.” It comes from the Chinese imagery of the tiger, which symbolizes strength, power, and respect. What is tiger parenting and what are its alternatives? Being a tiger mom is certainly controversial, although it's nothing new. Excellence is mandatory, and falling short merits punishment. Trying their hardest isn’t good enough for your child, and neither is getting second place. But how far would you go to ensure your child is the best at everything they do? Tiger mothering refers to an exceptionally strict form of parenting, where anything less than perfect is unacceptable. Any parent wants to see their child find success.

Battle cry of the tiger mom