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Introduction: The Cost of Success—And Who Pays for It
In a world obsessed with productivity and hustle culture, the voices that question the cost of such ambition often get drowned out. But Namita Thapar—Shark Tank India judge and Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals—has chosen not to stay silent. Using the lens of Netflix’s British miniseries Adolescence, Thapar dives into the emotional terrain of parenting, teenage mental health, and the silent damage inflicted by overworked lifestyles. Her reflections, shared in a heartfelt LinkedIn post, are strikingly personal yet universally relevant. They reopen the conversation about what it means to be present—not just physically, but emotionally—for our children.
the Original
A Mother’s Candid Confession—and a Cultural Mirror
Namita Thapar, known for her corporate acumen and Shark Tank fame, recently took to LinkedIn to discuss a subject deeply personal: parenting. Inspired by Adolescence, a Netflix series spotlighting the psychological impact of social media and familial neglect on teenagers, Thapar opened up about her own experiences as both a parent and a daughter.
She pointed out how children often idolize their parents and internalize even subtle signs of disapproval. This, when coupled with external stressors like peer bullying, can manifest as mental health struggles or behavioral issues. Drawing from the character Jamie in the show—whose father, despite good intentions, inadvertently made his son feel inadequate—Thapar reflected on her childhood. She recounted moments when her parents, although loving, tried to “fix” her by making her more traditionally feminine or moving her to a better school. These actions, despite their good intent, left emotional scars.
The key takeaway from her perspective: confidence is the greatest gift a parent can give. And this can only come through relentless, open communication. Thapar stresses the dangers of 70- to 90-hour work weeks, especially for parents. She believes that if one chooses to become a parent, then the onus is on them to be emotionally available—otherwise, don’t have kids. Her final call is clear and powerful: “Say NO to 70-hour weeks or say NO to being a parent.”
What Undercode Say:
Namita Thapar’s post strikes a raw nerve in a society increasingly desensitized to emotional neglect in the name of ambition. The emotional labor of parenting is rarely discussed in boardrooms, yet it’s arguably more consequential than quarterly performance metrics. Thapar’s reflections are a bold challenge to the culture of hyper-productivity that glorifies working 70+ hours a week as a badge of honor.
Her stance echoes a growing body of psychological research. Studies confirm that parental presence—both emotional and physical—is critical to a child’s development. The child doesn’t need perfection; they need validation. When a teenager senses emotional distance or perceived disappointment from their parents, it doesn’t simply “go away”—it metastasizes into self-hatred, rebellion, or depression.
What makes Thapar’s take powerful is that she
Her call to “overcommunicate pride”
From a sociological standpoint, the post could be seen as part of a broader generational reckoning. The millennial generation of parents is increasingly aware of the psychological cost of stoic, emotionally unavailable upbringings. They are also grappling with unprecedented career pressures. Thapar’s message is a line in the sand—between ambition and abandonment.
Ultimately, her argument is not anti-work, but pro-awareness. She’s not saying don’t succeed; she’s saying don’t let your success blind you to the silent suffering of those who love you most. For corporate India—and the global working elite—this should not just be a moment of reflection, but of transformation.
🔍 Fact Checker Results:
✅ Adolescence does explore mental health impacts of neglect and parental pressure.
✅ Thapar’s LinkedIn post is publicly available and aligns with her personal anecdotes.
✅ The link between excessive work hours and weakened parental engagement is backed by psychological studies.
📊 Prediction:
As work-life balance becomes a key metric of employee satisfaction, high-profile voices like Namita Thapar’s will accelerate change in corporate culture. More companies in India may introduce policies that discourage extreme work hours for parents. The conversation around emotional intelligence in parenting is likely to expand into HR frameworks and leadership training modules. Expect to see a shift from “parent-friendly” perks to true “family-emotional wellness” initiatives in the next 12–24 months.
References:
Reported By: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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