Amy Chua, author of the controversial parenting memoir Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, has spoken about the death threats she received following the book's publication. She attributed the extreme reaction to a combination of her strong views on parenting and the perceived threat of China.
Chua, a Yale law professor, described experiencing racism throughout her life, from childhood wishes to take a sandwich instead of fried rice to overhearing comments about her 'slanty eyes'. She said being an outsider pushed her to succeed, starting from her first day at nursery school when she could not speak English.
The author revealed that her younger sister's leukaemia and bone-marrow transplant during the writing of her book caused a life-questioning crisis. She admitted to having been over-confident as a parent and person before her sister's illness changed her perspective.
Chua reflected on her own upbringing, describing her parents' love as conditional on straight As and a no-boyfriend policy. She said going to law school was seen as a rebellion, as her parents wanted her to be a doctor or scientist.
The mother of two expressed regrets about her parenting, particularly raising her voice too much. 'Children imitate more than they listen,' she said, noting that she is not bossy with friends but is like a tiger with her own children.
Chua described herself as messy and terrible with money, often buying things online that she later hides in a closet. She also admitted to being partial to a drink and recently hosted a party for 250 people that started as a small gathering.
