Namita Thapar, the executive director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals and judge on Shark Tank India, recently sparked a heated discussion by linking Netflix’s Adolescence to the dangers of excessive work hours. Drawing attention to the impact of 70-90 hour work weeks on parenting, Thapar emphasized the emotional toll on children when parents are too busy to notice the signs of distress.
In a thought-provoking LinkedIn post, Thapar discussed the struggles depicted in the show, where the character Jamie Miller feels rejected by his father due to unmet expectations. She highlighted the emotional fallout of such experiences, where children may develop low self-esteem, mental health issues, or even turn their frustrations outward. Thapar warned that parents, despite their best intentions, may unknowingly cause harm if they are overworked and absent.
Thapar also shared her own childhood experience, where she faced pressure to conform to traditional feminine ideals. Her mother’s well-meaning efforts to make her “more feminine” left emotional scars, and her father’s desire for her to attend a better school contributed to feelings of shame. She reflected on how both parents, despite their good intentions, inadvertently affected her self-esteem, leading to emotional struggles.
Concluding her post, Thapar made a powerful call to action: “If we choose to bring a child into this world, let’s ensure we give them TIME.” She urged people to prioritize work-life balance, stating that anyone committed to 70-hour work weeks should reconsider parenting. Her remarks, especially following the debate stirred by Infosys founder NR Narayan Murthy about extended work hours, struck a chord with many, advocating for the importance of emotional availability in parenting.
