Adolescence reminded her of the lasting emotional effects
Namita Thapar has urged parents to rethink their priorities after watching Netflix’s Adolescence.
The Emcure Pharmaceuticals Executive Director and Shark Tank India judge posted a reflective message on LinkedIn about parenting, mental health and work-life balance.
Namita said: “Stop trying to fix things you feel they lack or could do better at.
“But over-communicate… over communicate… over communicate how proud you are of them and how you are always there for them… the ‘I’m proud of you’ part being most important.”
Namita said Adolescence reminded her of the lasting emotional effects of unmet expectations and poor communication.
The series centres on 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who is arrested on suspicion of the murder of a classmate named Katie Leonard.
Investigations at Jamie’s school and interviews by a forensic psychologist uncover Jamie’s views towards women associated with the manosphere and the bullying he has received on social media.
At home, Jamie’s family deals with the community’s backlash against them as they work together to cope with Jamie’s arrest and subsequent detention.
Namita highlighted that Jamie’s father pushed him into sports like football and boxing to “toughen him up”.
Unable to meet these expectations, Jamie felt that his father was ashamed of him.
Namita Thapar noted that Jamie’s father never took the time to communicate and clarify that this wasn’t true.
She then reflected on her own upbringing, recalling how she was pushed into singing and Kathak classes to appear more “feminine”.
Namita wrote that her mother’s actions were well-meaning but left “lasting scars”. She also remembered how her father wanted to move her to another school.
She said these experiences led to low self-esteem and emotional eating that took years to overcome.
Namita added that not every child is able to recover in the same way.
She highlighted the need for early intervention and confidence-building, writing:
“Confidence is the best gift you can give your child.”
Referencing The Self-Driven Child, she advised parents to focus less on fixing and more on supporting.
She also criticised long working hours that take time away from children.
Namita Thapar said: “If we choose to bring a child into this world, let’s ensure we give them TIME… that we have work-life balance to catch these signs early and course-correct.
“Say NO to 70-hour weeks, or if that’s the life you want, say NO to being a parent!”
She ended her post with a message for overworked parents:
“Hope the proponents of 70/90 hour a week watch this show.”
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