What it is: Tiger parenting was popularized by Yale Law School professor Amy Chua in her memoir, "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother," which explains how many parents put intense pressure on their children to attain high levels of achievement and success – particularly in academics – above all else. This tough-love approach often means kids are discouraged from social activities like playdates that don't align with the competitive goals their parents have set.
Why parents do it: Anecdotally, parents who adopt this approach are also highly involved in their children's upbringing. They make the final call on extracurricular activities and course work. By running such a tight ship, they may very well see results, with children who attain the intellectual and career goals they've set out for them.
What research says: Several studies have disproven the merits of this disciplinarian approach. According to results published in the journal Developmental Psychologist in 2013, children with stereotypical "tiger parents" actually had a lower GPA than those with supportive parents, and harsh parenting leads to the worst developmental outcomes among kids.
