The Oxford English Dictionary definition of the term shows that “tough love” especially applies to the treatment of children, addicts, or criminals. True “tough love” is probably rarer than we think. Often, the term is overused when its not warranted. It romanticizes situations that are simply toxic.

What are some examples of tough love?

Tough love is defined as being strict discipline or imposing specific obligations or requirements on a person to mandate responsibility because you care for that individual. An example of tough love is when a parent punishes a child for getting bad grades or for not keeping his promises.