Week 3 - Priscilla Lee

Week 3

A02

Priscilla Lee

From a young age, I can see my parents only want the best for me. I was told for as long as I can remember that a good education leads to success in the future and a better life. I’ve known this as the truth and is what always kept me to do my best. In this week’s reading, Beyond Tiger Mom Anxiety: Ethnic, Gender and Generational Differences in Asian American College Access and Choices by OiYan Poon and Ajani Byrd, it talks about the expectations Asian American parents have for their kids and how college choices are mostly influenced by parent’s opinions.

As an Asian American, I am aware of the stereotype of “tiger moms.” The term is typically associated with descriptions like strict, mean, and sayings like, “anything below an A is unacceptable.” I cannot say I fully understand what it is like to that extent, although I do agree that my family had a big influence in my college decisions. I’ve always heard of the Ivy League schools and the University of California. State colleges and community colleges were hardly ever mentioned. Sometimes during family gatherings, I can hear them talking about my choices without me and just expect that I get into the schools they believe is best for me. All those years, I came to realize that if I don’t get into one of those schools, I might disappoint my family. Although I wouldn’t say my mom is a “tiger mom,” I’d have to say that if my parents were not supportive of me throughout my childhood, I probably wouldn’t be on the path I am on now.

Question: Do “tiger moms” understand how hard it is to live up to their high standards ALL the time?

References:

1.     Poon, O., Byrd, A. (2013, Fall). Beyond Tiger Mom Anxiety: Ethnic, Gender and Generational Differences in Asian American College Access and Choices.

2.     Ybas, P. J. (2011, August 29). ‘Tiger Mother’ Rips into Kid over A-Minus- What Would You Do- ABC News. [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETw3wYBspys