Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • NPR

    Forget Tiger Moms. Now China's 'Chicken Blood' Parents Are Pushing Kids To Succeed

    Fierce competition to get children into the top schools has spawned an aggressive parenting culture, named for a traditional medicine treatment in which chicken blood is injected to stimulate energy.
    by Emily Feng Sep 06, 2021 5 minutes
    Students and parents walk after a private after-school session in Beijing's Haidan district, where competition is cutthroat for a spot in top schools.

    BEIJING — They schedule their children's days in 15-minute increments. They scour online forums and swap tips on the most exclusive tutors and best sports coaches. Some even buy second homes next to the best public schools.

    Forget Tiger moms. These are China's jiwa or "chicken" parents, who are known for their attentive — some say obsessive — parenting style. The term is used to describe aggressive helicopter parenting, and comes from an unproven Chinese medicine treatment dating back to the 1950s, in which someone is injected with fresh chicken blood to stimulate energy.

    Jiwa parenting culture, a relatively new phenomenon, is now in the crosshairs of Chinese authorities. At a time when the government wants to see families having more children and raising more future workers, it fears that hyper-competitive parenting pressures — combined with the meteoric growth of China's private.

    You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

    More from NPR

    NPR2 min read
    At Least 4 People Are Dead After Tornadoes Slam Oklahoma, Iowa And Nebraska
    Multiple tornadoes over several days leveled buildings and left a trail of damage in parts of the South and Midwest.
    NPR6 min read
    8 Tracks: Beyond The Grave, Johnny Cash Still Shows Us How To Make Music
    A new Johnny Cash song got NPR Music producer Lars Gotrich thinking about music released after a beloved artist dies. Check out "Well Alright," plus new music by Arooj Aftab and Tems on 8 Tracks.
    NPR5 min read
    What Consumers Should Know As Philips Agrees To $1.1 Billion CPAP Settlement
    Under a related deal, users who return devices by Aug. 9 can get an extra $100. As part of the recall, the company is offering repairs, replacements or refunds of the machines' cost.

    Related