Parenting isn’t just about imposing rules or expecting success. The real test is finding the right combination of love, discipline, understanding and communication. However, some parents take an overly strict stance. A similar method is called ‘tiger parenting’. In Tiger parenting, parents focus only on discipline, order, and perfection. Children are expected to follow orders without asking any questions, excel in studies, and not be allowed to make mistakes. In all this, children’s feelings, preferences and psychological needs are secondary. As a result, it adversely affects the natural growth of children.
Various researches conducted at Tribhuvan University in Nepal as well as in Britain have shown that children who grow up in very harsh environments tend to lack self-confidence. Due to constant pressure, such children remain stressed and face mental disturbances. Parents think that strict behavior will make children successful, but in reality this pressure makes them weak from inside.
Merely making a list of rules does not help the children’s future. It is equally important to understand them, listen to them and communicate. When parents only assert authority, fear instills in children. This fear also affects their decision making and relationships later in life.
According to research, parents who expect their children to obey without question and be perfect in everything, have a higher risk of depression and anxiety in their children. A study of children between the ages of 10 and 18 found that children in homes where there was no open communication were more psychologically stressed. The burden of over-expectations also dampens their enjoyment of learning.
Children’s emotions have little place in tiger parenting. Children feel insecure as they are not given the opportunity to voice their opinions. They avoid doing new things for fear of severe punishment for making mistakes. Due to lack of emotional support, they gradually become lonely and alienated from their parents.
This strict parenting affects not only psychologically, but also physically and biologically. According to a study in Britain, constant stress can affect biological processes in children’s bodies. This reduces the ability to handle stress in the future and increases the risk of problems such as depression in adulthood.
In contrast, parents whose attitudes are understanding, cooperative, and communicative have stronger mental health in their children. Such parenting not only has rules, but the reasons behind those rules are also explained to the children. Listening to children builds their self-esteem and develops a sense of responsibility.
According to experts, parents should be loving guides to children rather than friends. A safe, trusting and loving environment at home opens up children’s creativity and decision-making. If children’s psychological well-being is valued rather than just pushing them into the race for success, those children grow up to be happier, stronger and more responsible citizens.
