佛系父母 — Buddhist-Style Parents / Chill Parents
What Does 佛系父母 Mean?
Parents who adopt the '佛系' (Buddhist-style, go-with-the-flow) philosophy toward child-rearing — the opposite of 鸡娃 (intensively competitive) parenting. 佛系父母 let children develop naturally without forcing piano lessons, tutoring, and extracurricular cramming. Represents a counter-movement against China's hyper-competitive parenting culture, often more aspiration than reality.
Cultural Context
Emerged as a contrast to the dominant 鸡娃 parenting culture that dominates Chinese middle-class child-rearing. 佛系父母 represents either genuine philosophical resistance to competitive parenting or, more cynically, parents who lack the resources for intensive parenting and reframe necessity as virtue.
How Is It Used?
我们是佛系父母，孩子开心就好，不强迫报班。
We're Buddhist-style parents — as long as the kid is happy, no forcing classes.
佛系父母说起来容易，看到别人孩子拿奖还是会慌。
Being chill parents sounds easy until you see other kids winning awards.
Chinese Explanation (中文解释)
不鸡娃、让孩子顺其自然发展的佛系育儿方式，与鸡娃父母形成对比。