Cat Dad!

Cat dad refers to fathers’ parenting style that is more emotionally sensitive, gentle, and relaxed about rules and discipline.

16:51 02 June 2015

Perhaps you’ve heard about the term “Tiger Mother” which refers to a super-strict mum who pushes her kids to be the best at school. But have you heard about “Cat Dad?” A Cat Dad is the total opposite of a Tiger Mother; this type of father takes a softer approach to parenting – preferring to be emotionally sensitive, gentle, and relaxed about rules and discipline. 

 

The term “Cat Dad” has been trending on the micro blogging site Sina Weibo because of the hit Chinese television programme, Tiger Mom Cat Dat. The two lead characters portray a fierce Tiger Mom and a chilled-out Cat Dad and collide as they raise their young daughter. 

 

"Just as their names suggest, Cat Dad prefers a gentle approach to children's education, while Tiger Mom and Wolf Dad believe that education is a painful process," says Vincent Ni of BBC Chinese. "It's been a long time since Chinese TV aired such a drama that captured the two seemingly conflicting education philosophies so well. While closely following the drama, Chinese audiences also took to social media to discuss, share and voice their different opinions of the way to raise kids."