A new phrase, pin ma, literally "competition among mothers", has become popular among Chinese parents. But if another phrase, pin die, means "competition of fathers' wealth and power", pin ma signifies "competition of mothers' toughness and ideas about their children's education".

Chinese families have always accorded priority to children's education in which competition has played an important role, but now there is an added element: competition among mothers. Many people today believe that the success or failure of children in schools depends on mothers. Which means the more time and energy a mother invests in her child the more likely it is to succeed in its studies.

In today's society, a child's education, to a large extent, depends on its mother. Competition among mothers begins as soon as their children enter primary school, in some cases kindergartens. Industrious mothers seem to know how their children are performing in their studies, and guide and even tutor them at home.