Chinese Olympic gold medalist Zhang Jiaqi has become the center of a national conversation regarding parental control after appearing on the reality show My Little One. The program highlighted the strained relationship between the 22-year-old athlete and her mother, Xiao Yingjie, who previously managed all of Zhang’s finances and frequently criticized her daughter’s daily habits. Viewers expressed concern over the mother’s emotionally demanding behavior and lack of physical presence during Zhang’s childhood training. While social media users labeled the mother’s conduct as narcissistic, psychologist Li Songwei suggested the behavior stems from anxiety and noted that Xiao has since sought professional guidance to improve their communication. Zhang, who retired from diving last year, openly shared her feelings of neglect and resentment, sparking a broader dialogue about the impact of high-pressure, criticism-based parenting within Chinese families.
Source : [Sixth Tone](https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1019083/Chinese Olympic Diver’s Mother in Hot Water Over Toxic Parenting)
Photo : Sixth Tone
