Tiger Mom
Meaning
A Tiger Mom is a strict and demanding parent who pushes their children to achieve exceptionally high levels of academic or extracurricular success.
Origin
The term "Tiger Mom" exploded into the global lexicon with the 2011 publication of Amy Chua's memoir, "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother." Chua, a Yale Law professor and Chinese-American mother, described her strict, demanding, and often unconventional parenting style, which contrasted sharply with more permissive Western approaches. Her narrative, detailing intense academic and musical training for her daughters and often forbidding sleepovers or television, sparked a fiery international debate on parenting, cultural values, and the best path to success for children, cementing "Tiger Mom" as the definitive label for this high-pressure, results-oriented upbringing.
Examples
- Despite her daughter's complaints, the Tiger Mom insisted on hours of piano practice every day, believing it was essential for discipline and achievement.
- Many parents admired the Tiger Mom's dedication to her children's education, even if they found her methods a bit extreme for their own families.