Young Adults Thinking about Their Childhood: Evolving Practices of “Tiger Parenting” Among Chinese Migrants

Traditional Asian parenting, often characterized as a "double-edged sword," can deeply influence both childhood development and the parent-child relationship. This study investigates the practices of parenting within Chinese migrant families in Portugal, examining how parental expectations and understanding of “tiger parenting” have shifted among younger generations.

The narratives on Asian European childhoods were collected in the context of a broader qualitative sociological study focusing Chinese migrants living in Portugal. Using semi-structured and in-depth interviews, 25 participants were involved in this research to achieve two main objectives. First, the exploration of how the socio-economic and cultural context of migration shapes the parenting perceptions and strategies of Chinese parents, particularly in comparison to older generations. Second, it assesses the impact of “tiger parenting” on children's development and their intimate relationships with their parents, delving into whether such practices foster close bonds or create distance.

The findings are expected to provide insights into how migration and exposure to Western ideologies influence parenting behaviors and child-rearing practices, contributing to a broader understanding of the changing dynamics, tensions, paradoxes and opportunities of Chinese parenting behaviors in the European society.