Tiger Mums: Strict parents demanding greatness from their kids | 60 Minutes Australia

Summary

This video script explores the impact of 'tiger moms' on academic success, highlighting the high expectations and demanding nature of Chinese parenting in Australia. It features interviews with students, parents, and educators, discussing the balance between rigorous study and personal interests. The script delves into the cultural differences in parenting styles, suggesting that while Western parents may prioritize self-esteem, Asian parents focus on academic excellence and hard work, often leading to top academic achievements.

Takeaways

• 🏆 The script discusses the high academic achievements of Asian students, particularly in prestigious schools and universities, attributing their success to intense study habits and 'tiger moms' with extremely high expectations.
• 📚 The term 'tiger moms' is highlighted as a descriptor for demanding Chinese mothers who push their children to excel academically, often prioritizing this over other aspects of life.
• 🎓 The video features students in Sydney's West who, after school, attend extra tutoring sessions, predominantly from Chinese families, emphasizing the cultural focus on education.
• 👧 The story of Leanne, an 11-year-old student excelling in her studies and winning a spelling bee, illustrates the dedication and hard work encouraged by her 'tiger mom'.
• 🎼 Leanne's disciplined routine includes piano practice, homework, and self-imposed extra study, showcasing the sacrifices made for academic success.
• 📺 The script contrasts Western and Chinese parenting styles, suggesting that Western parents may be more lenient and less focused on academic achievement.
• 📚 The concept of 'tiger moms' was popularized by Amy Chua, a law professor, who wrote a best-selling book detailing her strict parenting approach.
• 🤔 The video raises questions about the balance between academic pressure and a child's well-being, suggesting that there may be negative consequences to extreme expectations.
• 👩‍👧‍👦 The script presents different perspectives on parenting, with some parents advocating for a balance between academic rigor and allowing children to have fun.
• 🌏 The video touches on cultural differences in parenting, with Asian parents often being more strict and focused on education compared to Western parents.
• 🔍 The discussion includes the idea of finding a 'happy medium' between the strictness of 'tiger moms' and the perceived leniency of Western parenting styles.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video script?

The main topic discussed in the video script is the high academic achievements of Asian students, particularly those with Chinese heritage, and the role of 'tiger moms' in driving these achievements.

What is the term 'tiger mom' used to describe?

The term 'tiger mom' is used to describe mothers who have extreme demands and high expectations for their children's academic performance, often coupled with unconditional love.

Why are Chinese students often at the top of the honor rolls in prestigious schools and universities?

Chinese students are often at the top of the honor rolls due to their dedication to studying, which is driven by the high expectations and demands of their parents, commonly referred to as 'tiger moms'.

What is the role of extra tutoring and coaching colleges in the academic success of Chinese students?

Extra tutoring and coaching colleges play a significant role in the academic success of Chinese students by providing additional academic support and resources beyond what is offered in regular school hours.

What is the attitude of the students towards their extra study and tutoring?

The students generally have a positive attitude towards their extra study and tutoring, as they understand the value of acquiring knowledge and the benefits it will bring in the future.

How does the video script describe the parenting style of Chinese families compared to Western families?

The video script describes Chinese parenting as more focused on education and academic excellence, with strict rules and high expectations. In contrast, Western parenting is portrayed as being less strict and more concerned with the child's self-esteem and emotional well-being.

What is the view of Western parents on their children's academic performance according to the video script?

According to the video script, Western parents are seen as being more lenient and less focused on their children's academic performance, often prioritizing their children's self-esteem and emotional well-being over strict academic demands.

What is the perspective of the 'tiger mom' author on Western parenting?

The 'tiger mom' author believes that Western parents are currently more concerned with their children's psyche and self-esteem, often accepting less than perfect performance and not pushing their children to strive for excellence.

What are the potential negative consequences of the 'tiger mom' parenting style as mentioned in the video script?

The potential negative consequences of the 'tiger mom' parenting style include children feeling berated for not achieving first place and the possibility of children experiencing shame if they fail, which can be a significant problem.

How does the video script suggest finding a balance between academic excellence and personal well-being?

The video script suggests that finding a balance between academic excellence and personal well-being involves encouraging children to strive for their best while also allowing them time to have fun and not being overly strict or pressuring.

What is the future career aspiration of the student Leanne mentioned in the video script?

Leanne, the student mentioned in the video script, aspires to go into forensics, particularly forensic engineering, as she has an interest in science, mysteries, and crime-solving from a positive perspective.

Outlines

00:00

📚 The Rise of 'Tiger Moms' and Academic Excellence

This paragraph discusses the phenomenon of Asian students dominating honor rolls in prestigious schools, attributed to their rigorous study habits and the high expectations set by their parents, often referred to as 'tiger moms.' The term, popularized by a best-selling book, signifies parents who demand nothing less than perfection. The script provides an on-the-ground view of extra tutoring sessions in Sydney, highlighting the Chinese families' focus on education. It introduces 11-year-old Leanne, who excels academically due to her commitment to studying and attending coaching college, and her mother Amelia, who emphasizes the importance of academic responsibility.

05:03

🔍 The Impact of Chinese Parenting on Western Education

The second paragraph delves into the consequences of the high-pressure academic environment created by Chinese parents, as described by University law Professor Amy Chua, who introduced the term 'tiger moms.' The paragraph explores the cultural emphasis on hard work and academic excellence, and how it leads to sacrifices in other areas of life. It presents personal accounts from Amy's life, illustrating the strict standards she set for her daughters, and the reactions from readers who perceived her methods as harsh. The narrative also touches on the balance between strict parenting and the children's ability to cope with such expectations, as well as the broader cultural implications on Western parenting styles.

10:03

🎓 Navigating the Balance Between Academics and Leisure

The final paragraph examines the challenge of finding a balance between academic pursuits and leisure activities in children's lives. It contrasts the strict rules enforced by Chinese parents with the more relaxed approach of Western parents, discussing the potential drawbacks of both extremes. The paragraph features insights from Leanne and her friend Catherine, who share their experiences with their parents' expectations and rules. It also includes perspectives from their mothers on the importance of setting boundaries while allowing for fun and personal growth. The segment concludes with a broader reflection on the differences between Eastern and Western parenting philosophies and the search for an ideal middle ground.

Keywords

💡Honor Roll

An honor roll is a list of students who have achieved a high academic standard, often displayed at schools to recognize their excellence. In the video, it is mentioned that the top of the honor rolls at prestigious schools are filled with Asian names, indicating their academic success.

💡Tiger Moms

The term 'Tiger Moms' comes from a bestselling book by a Chinese mother and refers to parents, particularly mothers, who have extremely high expectations for their children's academic performance and behavior. The video discusses how this parenting style is linked to the high academic achievements of Asian students.

💡Pushy Parents

Pushy parents are those who are overly insistent or aggressive in urging their children to succeed, often in areas such as academics. The video script describes these parents as not being satisfied with anything less than perfect marks, which is a driving factor behind the academic success of some students.

💡Academic Excellence

Academic excellence refers to outstanding performance in educational pursuits. The video emphasizes the value that Chinese parents place on academic excellence, often pushing their children to achieve top grades and excel in their studies.

💡Extra Tutoring

Extra tutoring involves additional educational instruction outside of regular school hours. The script mentions that many Chinese families in Sydney's West are fast-tracking their children's success through extra tutoring, highlighting the commitment to academic improvement.

💡Responsibility to Study

The concept of having a 'responsibility to study' suggests that students view education as an obligation or duty. In the video, one student explains that understanding this responsibility makes studying easier because they recognize it as their job or duty.

💡Strict Rules

Strict rules are stringent guidelines or regulations that must be followed. The video describes Chinese parents enforcing strict rules regarding their children's study habits, such as no TV or computer games until work is done, to ensure academic success.

💡Shame

Shame is a feeling of embarrassment or guilt for perceived failures or shortcomings. The script discusses the cultural aspect of shame in Asian families, where failure is met with strong disapproval, influencing the drive to succeed academically.

💡Forensics

Forensics, in the context of the video, refers to the field of forensic engineering, which the young girl Leanne is interested in pursuing. It involves the application of science to investigate crimes, showing her ambition to apply her academic knowledge in a practical and meaningful way.

💡Balance

Balance, in the context of parenting and education, refers to the equilibrium between academic demands and personal leisure or interests. The video explores the challenge of finding this balance, with Western and Chinese parents having different approaches to how they encourage or enforce this equilibrium.

💡Western Parenting

Western parenting refers to the general approach to child-rearing practices common in Western cultures. The video contrasts Western parenting with the more demanding style of 'Tiger Moms,' suggesting that Western parents may be more focused on their children's self-esteem and less on pushing for academic perfection.

Highlights

Asian students are now dominating the top of honor rolls in prestigious schools due to their rigorous study habits.

The concept of 'Tiger Moms' is introduced, highlighting the extreme expectations and demanding nature of some Chinese mothers.

Extra tutoring at coaching colleges is common among Chinese families in Australia, leading to academic success.

Leanne Yang, an 11-year-old student, excels in academics due to extensive extra study and coaching.

Leanne’s mother emphasizes the importance of academic responsibility, believing that children should understand their duty to study.

Chinese parenting is characterized by a strong focus on education, often at the expense of other activities.

The term 'Tiger Mom' describes a mother who sets very high expectations for her children, coupled with unconditional love.

Amy Chua, author of a bestselling book on Chinese parenting, discusses the cultural emphasis on academic excellence and sacrifice.

Western parents are often perceived as too lenient, focusing more on their children’s self-esteem than on academic success.

Ross Wolfers, a coaching college owner, observes the dominance of Asian students in Australia’s top schools and universities.

Amy Chua’s strict parenting methods have sparked controversy, with some accusing her of cruelty.

Western parenting methods are seen by some as too soft, leading to less rigorous academic preparation.

The balance between academic pressure and allowing children to have fun is a challenge for many parents.

Leanne Yang aspires to a career in forensic engineering, combining her interest in science and crime investigation.

Amy Chua believes that Western parents often underestimate their children’s strength, contrasting with the immigrant parents' assumption of resilience.

Transcripts

it's no secret at our most prestigious

schools and universities the names at

the top of the honor roles are now all

Asian and the reason is just as obvious

they study far more than their Western

classmates but what's now been revealed

in a best-selling book by a Chinese mom

is how that achievement is often driven

by the extreme expectations of demanding

mothers they call them tiger moms pushy

parents not satisfied with anything but

perfect marks it's tough level right but

when you see the results you just might

want to unleash some tiger power on your

own

kids it's 4:00 on Thursday afternoon and

school's

out but for these kids in Sydney's West

and thousands around the country the

academic day is is far from over nice

and loud what was that former correct f

r their parents are fast-tracking them

to success with extra tutoring at

coaching college and it's no coincidence

the huge majority come from Chinese

families and you enjoy learning don't

you yes what is it about it that you

love well I think it's like you take in

new things and you know that someday um

all this information is going to come in

handy and you are going going to like

wow everyone with your awesome knowledge

c a p r i c i o u s capricious that is

correct for 11-year-old lean Yang being

top of the class means everything and

her hours of extra study and coaching a

paying off she won the highly

competitive New South Wales spelling be

and top the state in her age exams she

likes reading she studies a lot so now

we need to PRACK in the number the one

that we are given Leanne's an only child

and her mom Amelia like most Chinese

parents values academic Excellence above

all else no kids like um study naturally

but I think the most important thing is

for them to know that they have got a

responsibility to study and um once kids

know that it's much easier because you

don't have to push them because they

know this is my job this my duty and I

need to carry it out properly before I

can have other fun if I didn't have to

study but I could still um learn things

then no I probably wouldn't study but

seeing as there's no magical brain pill

that automatically gives you

100,000% brain power then

unfortunately maybe I'll invent it

[Music]

someday Leanne is happy to do her Duty

that means me an hour of piano practice

then homework and on top of that extra

study she sets for herself in this

household the computer and television

are not for entertainment but gathering

information tell me what do you consider

Chinese

parenting well it's a bit of a

stereotype but they do

um encourage their children a lot and

they're quite focused on

education more than the other areas so

education is foremost whereas in most

western families not that I want to be

discriminatory but it seems that they

have um of course they're still

interested in their child's education

but not so um strict about it it's

almost a case now where um Western kids

in schools say well I came first if you

don't count the Asians

now walk okay just walk be careful on

the stage Ros wolfers opened her

coaching College the SWAT shop 20 years

ago and has seen Chinese parenting

become a dominant force in Australian

schools students from immigrant families

started to fill her classes more than 10

years ago the result they now fill every

top school and University in the country

it's quite extraordinary and you know

people comment when they look at the HSC

results you know you just go down the

the names of the you know top students

and um there's barely an Anglo-Saxon

name there anymore um and uh the best

schools those who are most competitive

entry um are just filled with Asians how

hard do you see the parents pushing

their kids very often too hard the

greatest problem really is that Asians

in general have scant regard for um

genetics as a factor of success and so

you do see very often the children

simply get berated for not coming first

because they say they haven't done

enough work do you think they fear

failure I think um you know in an Asian

family there is such shame that's

brought to bear by somebody who does

fail and that's a

problem y University law Professor Amy

was the one who lifted the lead on The

Secret World of Chinese parenting

in a bestselling book she coined the

phrase tiger moms to describe the

extreme demands she and other chines

mothers place on their children what is

a tiger

mom well the way I'm using it um I think

it's somebody it's a mother who uh

conveys very very high expectations

coupled with unconditional love I think

there's something about the culture that

uh you know encourages hard work and

there there is a real premium on

academics um there is a real emphasis on

striving for

excellence and that means sacrifice

growing up Amy's two daughters were

forbidden sleepovers playdates and

television study and music practice

always came first and Amy set standards

so high some readers even accused her of

Cruelty what about when they make you a

homemade birthday card and you throw

back in their face they forgot about the

birthday so did my husband and my

daughter said took a piece of paper

folded it in half made a smiley face and

I looked at it and I said Lulu you know

what this isn't good enough um I want a

better one and I hope that's not M A

minus was unacceptable in your houseold

it is true when my daughter comes home

with a 96 um out of a 100 I will say

okay good job but can we check out the

missing four points I let's improve did

you ever come home from school with

anything less than an a grade oh yeah

it's happened

it's and what happened

um nothing it wasn't it wasn't pretty

but it wasn't you know I'm

alive Amy's eldest daughter Sophia seems

to have survived her tiger mom

upbringing unscathed but her piano still

Bears the scars of endless hours spent

practicing wow

so these are the teeth marks those are

the teeth marks so you actually gwed on

your piano yeah that

happened I was really frustrated and I

may or may not have taken it out on the

piano here so what did you think of

Amy's parenting style very

rigid and um uh even I think to to our

standards uh we found that has been EXT

very very extreme so this time we have

three weeks um school holidays Chinese

parents raising their children in

Australia don't subscribe to some of

Amy's tough love tactics but they do

enforce strict rules of their own

anytime Leanne and her friend Catherine

spend away from their studies is

monitored by their moms Amelia and Joyce

one of the big rules for cing is to

prioritize uh no TV or computer games

until work is done do you let them use

Facebook I don't let herur where do we

stand on sleepovers

sleepover in my place is okay but no way

for her to go out to sleep over if I was

to ask the girls would they say you were

strict they might say that my daughter

might say that but um as a parents we

are supposed to be warm and

demanding and um that's how I see the

parent wrote to

be um I'm not quite sure

my parents aren't extreme nor are they

extremely LAX so um the thing is if I

know I can get an A then there's no

reason why I shouldn't get an A and

therefore I try my best to get an A or

hire you're pretty smart aren't you some

could say

that I I reckon this is one of those

questions um mommy's not smarter than

the F scater Joyce cut back her own

workout hour to ensure Catherine did

well in entrance exams for the best high

schools okay let me check an answer and

you have to do extra homework on top of

what the teacher assigns well for from

my children homework as well and

sometimes my my mom assigns me homework

as well Mama assigns homework yeah well

that pretty cruel not that cool it's not

that much but yeah I believe a children

should be challenged but should not be

pressured there is um there is a

difference in there and um once she

comes home with a test you can say oh

90% are all correct 10% was got cross

there so we we know that M Katherine you

have a little bit extra learning to do

do you think you found a good balance

with your parenting um we would like to

achieve that fine balance yeah um so um

from the academic perspective we do

encourage our children to try their best

but in the meanwhile we also are taking

time

to allow the girls to having fun so what

do you do for fun I like to read I like

to listen to music mostly listen to

music what about Justin Bieber no oh

you're quite adamant about that yes I am

how long have you been playing I don't

know you don't know you 5 minutes

finding that balance between learning

and Leisure is a challenge for any

parent and it seems to be the Great

Divide between East and West maybe in

some Western um families parents don't

have high expectation of children and

and parents are too soft frankly there

are many aspects of Western parenting

that I know horrify Asian parents you

know how much time uh Western parents

let their kids waste how quickly they

let them grow up what they are allowed

to do and also how poorly in some ways

they prepare them for the future so

you're not quite so strict with the dogs

totally not strict

they can do anything Amy cheer may have

mellowed these days but she still

believes Western parents get it wrong I

think that Western parents right now

worry much more about their children's

psyche and their self-esteem you know

they always want to say that's okay

don't worry about it um whereas I do

think that Chinese parents or immigrant

parents you know they assume strength

rather than fragility and there are a

lot of good things to be said about that

okay students that are here for me

nice and quietly just walk to the

classroom and coaching Guru Ross wolfers

couldn't agree more so is the western

style of parenting bringing out soft

kids I think that's definitely true um

you know parents give in too easily um

they don't say no often enough um they

don't necessarily set good examples I

think there's too many Western parents

who

um I don't know don't perhaps put the

same amount of time into their children

that the Asian parents do I'd love to

see a happy medium between Amy and and

the general Australian Western method of

parenting um most definitely I I think

somewhere between the two would be

absolutely

ideal after meeting Leanne there's no

doubt this little girl always had the

potential for success all that extra

study has absolutely guaranteed it well

I'm pretty sure I want to go into

forensics I found out that there was

such thing as forensic engineering and

I've always been interested in science

and Myster and sort of crime but not on

the bad side on the good side

obviously and I thought forensic

engineering sounded really fun so why

not would you say you're a typical

11-year-old probably not but

mostly hello I'm DIY Clancy thanks for

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