Nearly three years after Amy Chua released Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, people are still debating the merits of the tough love parenting she advocated.
Justin Chan in his blog for Policy Mic talks about his tiger parents with both affection and appreciation.
When he (his father) pushed me to get straight A’s in school by occasionally beating me or insulting me, I learned how to become independent, how to motivate myself. By the time I was in high school, I didn’t need him to constantly discipline me or to tell me that I could do better in my classes. I disciplined myself whenever I struggled on my own; taking less breaks, hanging out less with friends and spending more time studying. My discipline meant that I got better grades, got into a good college, and eventually landed a job in my desired profession.
My parents were known to use the back end of a duster or hanger to discipline me. But I would hardly call them tiger parents. I had good grades, but not straight A’s. My younger brother got average grades. They encouraged us, but never pushed us to the extremes that we hear from tiger parents. Both my brother and I turned out alright. I’d like to think I’m not a tiger dad, although my kids might have other thoughts about that.
What’s your experience? Share them below.
