Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

The originator and personification of the phrase “Tiger Mother,” Amy Chua-Rubenfeld is a second-generation Chinese Filipino American, the eldest of four sisters, and the child of immigrant parents. A Yale Law professor alongside her husband, Jed Rubenfeld, Chua devoted her life to raising her daughters to be as accomplished as she is while also succeeding in her full-time professor duties. She is also the owner of two Samoyeds, Coco and Pushkin, whom she aimed to raise as rigorously as she raised her children. She describes herself as an expert on foreign policy and globalization.

Chua is very involved as a parent, setting harsh boundaries for her children and expecting them to perform and succeed at a level far beyond their peers. She maintains that childhood is a time to prepare for future success, not to have fun. Even Chua’s own parents, whom she alleges were quite strict when she was growing up, sometimes tell her she is too harsh on her children.

Despite the early turmoil in her relationship with her daughter Lulu, Chua appears to be loved and respected by her daughters. Throughout the text, Chua goes to great lengths to ensure the reader that her children succeed through meritocracy rather than privilege.