challenging upbringing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "challenging upbringing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a difficult or adverse childhood experience that may have impacted a person's development or character. Example: "Despite her challenging upbringing, she managed to achieve great success in her career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Éder The only out-and-out striker in the team for Euro 2016 had a challenging upbringing.

The Guardian - Sport

Of the 552 players to participate in France, few could have had a more challenging upbringing than Éder.

The Guardian - Sport

Ms. Annabi's lawyer, Edward V. Sapone, who said his client would appeal the verdict, had sought probation, citing Ms. Annabi's years of public service and her challenging upbringing.

The New York Times

Despite a challenging upbringing that including being emancipated from her parents at age 14, Manseau finished community college and got a job as a nursing assistant.

Huffington Post

When I started writing a memoir, I found it more difficult than I'd imagined to flesh out my mother (adoptive) and her impact on my life during my challenging upbringing.

Huffington Post

The wealthy, controlling oligarchs of Ukraine will not be a positive influence for young Ukrainians in the Jewish community, but hopefully these successful entrepreneurs who emerged as wealthy victors in the technology age despite their challenging upbringing as Soviet Refuseniks will provide the inspiration to the next generation of Russian and Ukrainian Jews.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

As President Tilghman has noted, many studies have shown that students learn more in an environment where preconceived notions, born of circumstance and upbringing, are challenged by students from other backgrounds.

The New York Times

Irigaray was circumspect about revealing details of her personal life or upbringing; she believed that interpreters and critics within the male-dominated academic establishment typically use such information to distort or dismiss the work of challenging women thinkers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She spoke about the challenges of her upbringing in Australia, as well as those that women in Aboriginal communities still face – among them, a white western-centric lens on feminism that does not account for international or multicultural voices.

The Guardian - Tech

Sylvester talks about how his upbringing influenced his passion for BMX riding, the racial stereotypes he's challenged throughout his career, and how he's developed an unconventional take on the competitive sport.

Vice

Lhota twice challenged him to "be a man," but apologized after the meeting, saying, "I think my Bronx upbringing came out today".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's background, use "challenging upbringing" to convey resilience and strength in overcoming adversity. It acknowledges hardship without defining the individual solely by their past.

Common error

Avoid using "challenging upbringing" as a substitute for specific details about a person's past. Provide concrete examples of the challenges they faced to add depth and credibility to your narrative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "challenging upbringing" functions as a noun phrase, where "challenging" modifies the noun "upbringing". It describes the nature of someone's early life experiences. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "challenging upbringing" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe a difficult childhood. Ludwig AI identifies it as a common way to characterize early life experiences marked by hardship. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it is often used to set the context for a person's resilience or current circumstances. Alternative phrases such as "difficult childhood" or "troubled youth" can be used depending on the specific emphasis. When using "challenging upbringing", it's important to provide specific details to avoid clichés and add depth to the narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult childhood

Focuses more on the period of childhood rather than the upbringing itself.

troubled youth

Highlights the adolescent period and its associated difficulties.

adverse childhood experiences

More clinical and emphasizes the negative impact of specific experiences.

hardscrabble background

Emphasizes poverty and struggle as part of the person's history.

deprived early life

Focuses on the lack of resources and opportunities during the formative years.

unfortunate early years

Highlights the element of bad luck or unfavorable circumstances.

disadvantaged childhood

Focuses on the lack of equal opportunities compared to peers.

tumultuous early life

Emphasizes instability and chaos during the early years.

unstable upbringing

Highlights the lack of consistency and security during childhood.

precarious childhood

Emphasizes the insecurity and risk present during childhood.

FAQs

What does "challenging upbringing" mean?

A "challenging upbringing" refers to a childhood and adolescence marked by significant difficulties, hardships, or adverse circumstances, which may include poverty, abuse, neglect, or instability.

How can I use "challenging upbringing" in a sentence?

You can use "challenging upbringing" to describe a person's background, like: "Despite his "challenging upbringing", he became a successful entrepreneur."

What are some alternative phrases for "challenging upbringing"?

Alternatives include phrases like "difficult childhood", "troubled youth", or "adverse childhood experiences". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "challenging upbringing" a formal or informal phrase?

"Challenging upbringing" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in news articles, biographies, and academic papers as well as in everyday conversation.