Pushing For Excellence: Do You Have A Tiger Mom?

In her New York Times bestseller, Battle Hymn of The Tiger Mother, Yale Law professor and author Amy Chua mentions seen characteristics that somewhat differentiate the Chinese ?Tiger mother? from the typical Western mother. According to Chua, the Chinese mother believes that 1) Schoolwork always comes first; 2) an A-minus is a bad grade; 3) your children must be two years ahead of their classmate in math; 4) you must never compliment your children in public; 5) if your child ever disagrees with a teacher or coach; 6) the only activities your children should be permitted to do are those in which they can eventually win a medal; and 7) that medal must be gold.

It is safe to say that these traits are popular among immigrant and first generation parents across the world [and particularly in the West], who embrace certain ideals about how their children are to be raised in order to?succeed in the world. But does being a tiger mother mean that you?re too strict with your kids?

The video above is part of a series that features documentaries centered around the voices of individuals in the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. According to those interviewed, the first thing that comes to mind when they hear ‘tiger mom’, is “tough”; “overbearing”; “fierce”; “no-nonsense”; “strict”; “strict as hell”; “my mom”.

What comes to mind when you hear ‘tiger mom’?

The Voix?is a creative platform that empowers the voices of global storytellers. For more information, visit: Thevoix.com.