For centuries, the United States has been a bastion of innovation, nurturing creative minds whose contributions have transformed the global landscape. From revolutionary technology to groundbreaking inventions, it has thrived as a cradle for creativity. Interestingly, many of its leaders and successful icons of the fourth revolution were college dropouts, sparking debates on the need for rigorous parenting styles, reminiscent of the “Tiger Moms” philosophy.
Underneath this legacy of creativity, though, the US faces a growing issue: its students are falling behind in world education rankings. Based on the most recent Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) data, the US ranks 28th in math and 18th in science, far below many Asian and European nations.
US PISA ranking in math and science
The nation is currently experiencing a dual crisis: low world ranking in STEM and a widening skills gap. The question—whether America, one of the largest economies in the world with its $29 trillion GDP, requires a Tiger Mom to fix these issues—is open to discussion. Yet, it’s unwise to generalize about any problem or ignore all criticism.
The Current Scenario
Every three years, the PISA tests 15-year-olds’ reading, math, and scientific aptitudes. In 2022, the United States came in 18th in overall rankings.
A closer look at the performance of US students in mathematics and science reveals a worrying pattern. With scores much behind top-performing nations including China, Singapore, and South Korea, the 2023 PISA results show that American kids suffer, especially in arithmetic. In reading and science, American pupils also fall behind countries emphasizing academic development. This underperformance raises concerns about the nation’s capacity to keep its competitive edge in STEM fields.
Overall Pisa score by country
Dropout rates in the United States
Skill Gap
According to economists, a country’s economic development depends on human resources, underscoring the fact that a skilled population plays a crucial role in enhancing its GDP.
However, the PISA results point to a more fundamental problem: American kids are not being prepared for the rigors of a rapidly evolving workforce. In STEM disciplines, including IT, engineering, and cybersecurity, the country is critically short of talented people.
Technical areas with the greatest skill gaps in the United States in 2024
The country is facing a deficit of skilled labor in the manufacturing sector and a scarcity of STEM-proficient professionals in the technology sector, among others.
The talent shortage in the IT industry is more pronounced than ever. Driven by rapid technological developments and a widening skills gap, companies struggle to find qualified professionals. This shortage hampers growth and stresses existing teams, affecting innovation and competitiveness.
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Several reports have highlighted the talent crunch in the USA.
- According to Kon Ferry’s report, the United States may not remain the undisputed leader in tech thanks to the talent shortage.
- In tech alone, the US could lose out on $162 billion worth of revenues annually unless it finds more high-tech workers.
According to Forbes (2024), a deficit of 4 million vacancies for cybersecurity jobs exists worldwide. In the US, despite having nearly 25% of the global cybersecurity workforce, over 755,743 cybersecurity job openings remained unfilled. (Statista, 2024)
Low ranking in STEM and skill shortages are related issues. Several studies are in progress to unearth the underlying source of these concerning developments. In a thought-provoking white paper, Ryan Craig has filtered out two major reasons behind the skill gap:
- Education Friction: Many individuals do not upskill themselves because of the time, the cost, and, most importantly, the uncertainty of employment opportunities.
- Hiring Friction: A growing reluctance among employers to hire candidates who haven’t already proven to do their job effectively.
Does America need Tiger Moms?
Parents raise their kids across cultures, and one style that often stirs up debate is the “Tiger Mom” approach. A term coined by Yale Law School professor Amy Chua in her 2011 memoir, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, refers to strict and disciplined mothers pushing their children to raise the bar and achieve top grades in academics while excelling in extracurricular activities. This approach may have links to success in Asian countries, but its use in America has gotten mixed responses.
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The Tiger Mom Approach
Its supporters claim that Tiger Moms bring up “kids who fit the successful stereotype,” stressing discipline, hard work, and high standards. These principles match cultural values in many Asian communities, where school and career achievements often show family pride and effort. But in the US, people often compare this parenting style to strict parenting, which is inflexible and lacks emotional warmth.
Cultural Differences in Parenting Styles
Various research studies have shown differences between parenting styles in the US and Asian nations, such as China. A study focusing on teenagers revealed that in Hong Kong, Chinese parents are more authoritarian and less authoritative than American parents.
Authoritarian Parenting: This approach has an impact on families with strict rules, high standards, and little room for compromise. It’s more common among Hong Kong Chinese, Chinese American, and Asian American families.
Authoritative Parenting: This method strikes a balance between firm expectations and emotional backing. It’s more typical in American homes.
The cultural focus on individualism in the US often clashes with the Tiger Mom philosophy, which gives importance to discipline and parents’ choices above personal choices.
Is the Tiger Mom Approach Right for America?
People who disagree with the Tiger Mom method say its strong push for success can burn kids out, hurt their mental health, and damage their bond with their parents. Those who back it though point to the clear outcomes: kids who do well in school, music, and other areas.
In a report presented by the US News, the US falls behind in the skilled workforce ranking. The report places the US below China on the list led by Germany, while two Asian countries, Japan and South Korea, countries known for their education and thriving Tiger Moms, hold the second and third positions, respectively. It shows that the United States, despite all its resources and growth, is lagging in nurturing a workforce that matches the skill demand of the fourth industrial revolution.
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/rankings/skilled-labor-force
The primary issue is whether the Tiger Mom approach is suitable for American philosophies or whether we need to tweak its methods to boost both success and emotional health. While strict rules and high expectations matter, many pros suggest a more even-handed way—one that builds toughness, self-reliance, and people skills along with good grades.
Finding a Middle Path
Instead of using one way for all, maybe the real fix is to mix the best parts of both parenting styles. Blending the Tiger Mom’s strict rules and push with the caring support and flexibility of firm but fair parenting could make a space where kids do well in school and feel good too.
In the end, the question isn’t whether America needs Tiger Moms, but whether we can use elements of this parenting philosophy to solve current challenges.
