The term "tiger parenting" has become a popular way to describe parents who place a strong emphasis on strict parenting practices. Many parents and experts alike have strong opinions about this parenting style and whether or not it is effective. While there are many positive aspects associated with tiger parenting, there are also some potential drawbacks.
In this blog post, we will be discussing the pros and cons of tiger parenting and examining how it can impact a child's development.
Tiger parenting has become a widely-used term to describe a parenting style that emphasises strict discipline and high academic expectations. Although the roots of this style of parenting can be traced to Asian-American families, it is now being used by parents of all backgrounds.
The goal of tiger parenting is to cultivate a child’s social and academic success, but this style of parenting often comes with its own set of challenges. The goal of this blog post is to explore these challenges and discuss the pros and cons of tiger parenting.
Pro: Have high standards and expectations
One of the greatest benefits of tiger parenting is the high expectations and standards set by the parent. Tiger parenting pushes children to strive for excellence in every aspect of their lives, from academics to extracurricular activities.
Setting high expectations gives children the motivation and drive to do their best and reach their full potential. This is important in developing a strong work ethic and a sense of purpose in life.
With the right development, children can become well-rounded individuals, who have the ability to think critically and achieve success.
Pro: Become hardworking
One of the major pros of tiger parenting is that it encourages hard work. Tiger parenting is based on a strict set of rules and expectations that must be met. This encourages children to develop a strong work ethic, as they learn to adhere to deadlines and take pride in their work.
This type of parenting can also help children develop a sense of responsibility, as they are expected to put in the necessary effort to achieve their goals. As a result, children may be more likely to excel in school and develop a strong sense of discipline.
Pro: Have character and resilience
Proponents of tiger parenting maintain that this form of parenting builds resilience and character in children. It also teaches them to take responsibility for their actions and encourages them to develop a strong work ethic and strive for excellence in all aspects of their lives.
As a result, it produces children who are highly driven and goal-oriented, and who have the skills to cope with adversity and setbacks. This form of parenting equips children with the necessary skills to face the real world in a confident and successful manner.
Con: Vulnerable to higher levels of stress and anxiety
One potential consequence of tiger parenting is an increased level of stress and anxiety. As tiger parents place intense pressure on their children to meet their expectations, children can struggle to cope with the expectations and pressure, resulting in increased levels of stress and anxiety.
Additionally, tiger parents may be less likely to provide their children with emotional support, which can exacerbate their stress and anxiety.
To ensure that children can thrive in a tiger parenting environment, it is important that the parents take the necessary steps to provide their children with ample emotional support and coping skills.
Con: Have low creativity and imagination
One of the key cons of tiger parenting is that it does not promote creativity and imagination. Tiger parenting emphasizes strict adherence to rules and routines and often limits a child's opportunity to express themselves in other ways, such as through art, music, and imaginative play.
This can lead to the child feeling stifled and frustrated, and unable to express their individualism. It can also have a negative impact on their development, as creativity and imagination are important skills for any child to learn.
Con: Have a lack of independence
While tiger parenting can help children achieve short-term gains such as academic success and higher self-esteem, it can also have negative long-term effects. One of the main cons of tiger parenting is that it can lead to a lack of independence in children.
Tiger parents are often overly involved in their children’s lives, which can lead to children having difficulty making their own decisions and relying on their parents to make choices for them.
Additionally, tiger parenting can lead to children lacking self-confidence, as they may feel overwhelmed by the high expectations set by their parents.
Con: Acquire negative self-image
One con of tiger parenting is that it can lead to a negative self-image. It places a lot of pressure on its children to perform, and this can lead them to feel inadequate if they don’t meet their parents’ expectations.
This can lead to feelings of guilt and worthlessness, which can have a detrimental effect on the child’s self-esteem and confidence.
Additionally, children of tiger parents may not have time for activities that are more beneficial for their development, such as sports and extracurricular activities.
These activities can provide children with important skills and experiences that can aid in their social and emotional development.
Con: Have low self-esteem
One of the most significant disadvantages of tiger parenting is that it can lead to lower self-esteem in children. Tiger parents are known for their extremely demanding and strict parenting styles, which can lead to an overall feeling of disappointment or failure in their children.
This can ultimately lead to children feeling inadequate and discouraged, and these negative feelings can become internalised and lead to long-lasting issues with self-esteem.
It is important that parents ensure their expectations are appropriate and their children are given the support they need to reach their goals.
While there are pros and cons to Tiger Parenting, it is ultimately up to parents to decide what type of parenting style best suits their family.
It is important to remember that parenting should be done with love and compassion, not fear and intimidation. All parents want the best for their children, so it is always important to consider the long-term effects of any parenting decisions before they are implemented.
With thoughtful consideration and understanding of both the pros and cons of Tiger Parenting, parents can make a decision that will help their children reach their goals and be the best version of themselves.
Also read: Same-Sex Parenting: How To Do It Effectively?