Proof that being a 'Tiger Mom' works?
The daughter of controversial "Tiger Mom" Amy Chua gets into both Harvard and Yale, and, just maybe, vindicates her mother's childrearing theories in the process

In January, Yale law professor Amy Chua caused an uproar with a Wall Street Journal article that claimed demanding Asian parents (like her) raised more successful children than coddling Western parents. The piece, an excerpt from Chua's best-selling book, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mom, detailed how her daughters weren't allowed to attend sleepovers or choose their own extracurricular activities, generating endless controversy in parenting and education circles. Now, the (in)famous Tiger Mom's oldest daughter, Sophia, has been accepted to both Harvard and Yale. Does Tiger Parenting work?
Yes, witness the Ivy League results: "Criticize all you want, but you can't argue with success," says David Lat at Above the Law. Of course, it's not exactly surprising that Sophia Chua-Rubenfeld would get into Harvard and Yale. She's "beautiful," "brilliant" and "an extremely talented" pianist. Her acceptance is "richly deserved," and, with this happy ending, the Tiger Mom is somewhat vindicated.
"Tiger Mom triumphant: Her cub got into Harvard!"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Parents should now mimic Tiger Mom: "I wish I were strong enough to perfect and institute a (watered down) method of Tiger Parenting to use on my three kids," says Jofel at Chicago Now. "I love Amy Chua," and her daughter's Harvard and Yale admissions should clear her after all the criticism she's received. Now maybe there will finally be time for cuddling and Xbox.
C'mon, Tiger Parenting isn't what got Chua's daughter in: "Sophia probably would have done well in the college admissions game even without her pushy mother," says William Lee Adams in TIME. She's a skilled writer and a piano prodigy who made her Carnegie Hall debut at age 14. Still, "Chua did bequeath her with one gift most pushy mothers can only dream of: alumni status." Both she and her husband hold degrees from Harvard, and it's always helpful to have legacy when applying to school.
"Did Amy Chua's daughter really need a Tiger Mom to get into Harvard?"
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why does Elon Musk take his son everywhere?
Talking Point With his four-year-old 'emotional support human' by his side, what message is the world's richest man sending?
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
The Week Unwrapped: Why are sinkholes becoming more common?
Podcast Plus, will Saudi investment help create the "Netflix of sport"? And why has New Zealand's new tourism campaign met with a savage reception?
By The Week UK Published
-
How Poland became Europe's military power
The Explainer Warsaw has made its armed forces a priority as it looks to protect its borders and stay close to the US
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published