Parents, clock out: Tiger parenting once children turn into adults could smother their careers

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. There is little that beats the security of a parental nest. The knowledge that there exists a fallback option in a parent or two at home who will rush to protect you—and even fight for you—is a safety blanket that upwardly mobile young employees are refusing to let go of.

And why would they? Their tickets to return home for festivals are taken care of; if they fall behind on rent payments, a bank transfer from home saves them; and if their employer or city of residence does not work in their favour, then the soothing voice of a parent will ask them to return to the nest, where there is always a mother or father ready to resolve all their troubles. If bosses had a staff room like teachers in school, parents who refuse to accept that their children are now working adults would be a pet peeve. At what stage will parents realize that their protective branches have become tentacles pulling their now-adult children back from surviving the big, bad workplace—let alone succeeding in it? The typical young employee—and this is especially so for women—may have stepped out of home for the first time, but remains accountable to la familia.

Work timings, late hours, the condition of her room in a paying guest accommodation, hostel or a shanty one can just about afford in the initial years of work are all up for negotiation. Striking bargains can sap energy. Attempts at loosening the umbilical cord are met with threat tactics and surprise visits from parents who want to run the show their way.