Dear Editor,
The Tiger Mother’s Parenting Style
After the book “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother” was published, more and more people know about what the tiger mothers are like. Amy Chua, the author of the book claims that tiger mom’s parenting style is the best way to teach kids and tiger mothers are superior. However, in my opinion, tiger mom’s parenting style is not a good way to teach children. It will bring negative impact on and serious consequences to the children.
Tiger parents usually have high expectation. They will force their children to be successful academically. For example, they might not allow their children to get a “B” in school. They will also push them to learn many musical instruments and sports. Children raised by tiger parents might meet with emotional threats or even physical punishments if they can’t meet their parents’ expectation.
Tiger parents also control their children psychologically. For example, they might yell at them as “fatty” or “garbage” in public. Moreover, tiger parents seldom allow their children to make decisions on their own. For instance, some of their kids are not allowed to watch TV or have gatherings with friends.
They do these because they believe that this is the best way to protect their children by preparing them for the future. They let their kids see what they are capable of and arm them with skills, work habits and confidence. They also think that getting higher grades in the exams and receiving prizes from different competitions will lead to success.
Somebody may say that tiger parents are good parents because they prepare their kids for their future. However, this is not truly good for children.Good parents should give their children love and affection as well as praise, appreciation, encouragement and support. They would respect their children and listen to them. Different from tiger parents, they don’t force their children to become successful academically. They believe that the learning process is more important than the results no matter how their kids perform. By contrast, tiger mom’s parenting style is demanding and authoritarian.
All in all, the tiger mom’s parenting style is bad for children. The best way to teach kids is to respect them but not to control them.
Yours faithfully,
Grace Ho