A book written by two girl students that uses childish but humorous illustrations to "teach" children several dozen tricks on how to tackle (or fight) their parents has become popular in the micro blog circle. This shows how discontented and rebellious children have become under the pressure of exam-oriented education, says an article on qianlong.com. Excerpts:

That the publication of the book seems like an idea created on the spur of the moment is obvious. Since most parents today know that knowledge can change the fate of a child, they are likely to pass down their experiences and deep-rooted thoughts to their children.

There seems to be a "consensus" among parents to make their children study as hard as possible to get higher marks in order to ensure a better future for them. So children have to face the storm of not only exams, but also "tiger moms" and/or "wolf dads".

Students that fall behind face scolding or corporal punishment or both. This deprives them of the rest they so desperately need and drives them away from their hobbies, making them resistant (and even rebellious).

Though the possibility of children winning the "battle" against their parents is slim, the book succeeds in reflecting the hardship that exam-oriented education imposes on them. The tussle between parents and children in many cases turns into a "seesaw battle". The book may be considered a battle hymn against "tiger moms" and "wolf dads", but it should be seen as children's genuine request for more understanding and freedom from overly demanding parents and society.

Hopefully, the education department and parents will give children more space so that they can enjoy their childhood and adolescence in innocent but meaningful pursuits.

(China Daily 12/14/2011 page9)