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Zoey Zhang

A video of parents from eastern China celebrating their son’s exam results after he got just one point above a pass has gone viral online.
Unlike the typical Chinese “tiger parenting” style, the father prioritised his child’s health and happiness over perfection.
The clip shows a mother entering a house with three children, holding an exam paper and smiling broadly.
She excitedly tells her husband, who is lying on the couch: “Our son scored 61 out of 100; he passed the monthly maths exam.”

The father, surnamed Liang, jumps up from the couch, exclaiming: “My son, this is truly an honour for our family. Let me call your grandparents to share the good news.”
He announces that they will treat the children to a big dinner. The mother then embraces her eldest son, who stands shyly nearby.
According to the mainland media outlet Hongxing News, Liang’s eldest son is in the fourth year of primary school and has struggled academically, especially in mathematics.
Liang, a paediatrician in a small county in Anhui province, and his wife have a daughter and two sons, all of whom have below-average academic performance.

He has witnessed the toll academic pressure can take on children, including one heartbreaking case where a child developed depression, leaving the parents regretful as they stood by the child’s hospital bed.
“I do not set high expectations for my children’s grades, as long as they grow up healthy and happy,” he said.
Liang and his wife focus on instilling good values, believing in the importance of nurturing their children’s individuality.
“I am not a perfect parent, so why would I expect my children to be perfect?” said Liang.
The couple also encourages their three children to pursue their own interests.
They enrolled their daughter, who excels in painting, in a training class and supported their eldest son in learning public speaking and hosting.
Their parenting style has sparked a discussion on mainland social media, with the video racking up over 40 million on mainland social media.
One online observer said: “Liang and his wife are great parents who do not kill the joy. Their children will be very happy.”
“Unlike the traditional score-based mentality, Liang’s laid-back parenting style is truly inspiring,” wrote another.
Traditional Chinese education often emphasises academic and career success, with parents pushing their children to become elite.

This has given rise to so called tiger mums and wolf dads who impose harsh standards, sometimes leading to anxiety, depression and other psychological issues.
Some “chicken-blood parents” go so far as to enrol their children in intensive tutoring classes from a young age in the hope of getting them into top universities.
In contrast, Liang prioritises his children’s mental and physical well-being over academic pressure.
On October 11, he shared his parenting philosophy on social media.
“If you are an ordinary parent with limited resources or education, and are unsure how to raise your child, simply encourage, recognise, praise and support them. Do not project your anxieties and fears onto them.”


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Clip of China parents celebrating son passing exam goes viral as dad values boy’s happiness

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People & Culture

‘Inspiring’ parents who stress their children's ‘health and happiness’ reject stereotypical strict parenting; gain online praise


‘Inspiring’ parents who stress their children's ‘health and happiness’ reject stereotypical strict parenting; gain online praise.


China education

Parenting: teens

Clip of China parents celebrating son passing exam goes viral as dad values boy’s happiness

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}‘Inspiring’ parents who stress their children's ‘health and happiness’ reject stereotypical strict parenting; gain online praise

‘Inspiring’ parents who stress their children's ‘health and happiness’ reject stereotypical strict parenting; gain online praise