Chua argues that true self-esteem comes from competence . By forcing children to work through difficulty until they succeed, they gain a "true" confidence that cannot be shattered.
Chua’s daughters had to play piano or violin, often practicing for hours daily. Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother
Anything less than an "A" was considered a failure. Chua argues that true self-esteem comes from competence
The book highlighted the deep divide between the Western emphasis on individuality and the Eastern emphasis on family honor and grit. Anything less than an "A" was considered a failure
Despite the critics who predicted her children would be traumatized, both of Chua’s daughters (Sophia and Lulu) graduated from Ivy League schools and have publicly defended their mother, stating that while the upbringing was intense, it gave them the tools to succeed and a deep bond with their parents.
Much of the initial backlash came from a Wall Street Journal excerpt titled "Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior." Many readers mistook the book for a rigid "how-to" guide for drill-sergeant parenting.