Week 3

Jocelyn Centeno A02 Week 3

Beyond Tiger Mom Anxiety is a study that focuses on the many factors that lead up to the college process. Mainstream media commonly portray Asian American parents to be a tiger mom or tiger parents, a term originally coined by Amy Chua from her book Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. Having tiger parents means that the parents are overbearing and demand a certain academic standard that excels that of the child’s peers. These parents often use negative reinforcement and have strict rules for their child so they are not distracted from their academics. The children of tiger parenting are thought to achieve a higher education than those who have more “loving” and “supportive” parents, but the study conducted in Beyond Tiger Mom Anxiety shows results that the college process differ for Asian Americans by ethnicity and socioeconomic background. Although parents emphasize that education will lead to a better life, there are many factors as to why students choose to pursue postsecondary school. I think what this study is telling us is that we need to put more effort in creating resources for children that need help with the college process. Guidance counselors and teachers were mentioned as support for students with parents who barely speak english and/or have not gone to college. It is important we acknowledge that the model minority is a myth and not every Asian American has the same opportunities as most of their peers.

Question: What is it then if not tiger parenting that we see an overrepresentation of Asian Americans in academia?

Reference:

1. Poon, O., & Byrd, A. (2013). Beyond Tiger Mom Anxiety: Ethnic, Gender and Generational Differences in Asian American College Access and Choices. Journal of College Admission. 23-31

1. Allred, N. C. (2007). Asian Americans and Affirmative Action: From Yellow Peril to Model Minority and Back Again. Asian Am. LJ, 14, 57-84.

1. Tygří matka nebo Líný rodič. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2017, from http://www.zenysro.cz/blogy/osobni-rozvoj/tygri-matka-nebo-liny-rodic

This illustration shows the criticization of Amy Chua the author of Battle Hymn of the tiger Mother.