In China and similar cultures, parents push their kids into loads of tuition, 24/7 work work work, learn classical instuments etc.
Most kids raised like that end up dependant on overachievement for happiness, and failing can literally make them suicidal.
Simply put it is like separating the wheat from the chaff. The ones who live are the ones with a good grades. The ones with the good grades pass on their DNA. It's my personal belief that it's been that way for more than a few centuries. I haven't looked much into the historical records, tho.
(post is archived)