Parents may be switching off too early when it comes to giving their children career support and guidance according to global research released by LinkedIn, the world’s largest online professional network. For most workers (69%), career advice stops when they get their first job, despite two thirds (64%) of children wishing their parents had offered up some much needed guidance on a specific issue during their career. In addition, a third of professionals would like more general career advice from parents.
These findings mark the launch of the third annual LinkedIn Bring in Your Parents Day. The worldwide event on November 5 in which workers around the globe invite their parents into the workplace to give them an inside view of their working life.
LinkedIn Bring in Your Parents Day aims to bridge this gap between workers and their parents when it comes to the world of work, providing parents with the insights and knowledge they need to offer useful advice to their children. LinkedIn commissioned research which points to a new style of parenting that children want; termed “Lighthouse Parents” which inspires parents to remain a beacon of encouragement and advice without being too overbearing or taking too much of a step back.
As part of the study, LinkedIn worked with Dr Alexandra Beauregard, an expert on the influence of families in the workplace, from the London School of Economics. Dr Beauregard looked at different parenting styles, based on how engaged parents were in their child’s professional life and the types of decisions they helped to influence and how these affected kids that have flown the nest. The new term Lighthouse Parenting joins other parenting styles people may be familiar with: Free Range, Well-wishers, Concierge and Helicopter Parenting.
While parents aren’t short of potential advice, 45% often find themselves with an opinion to offer but refrain from giving it. The reasons were: thinking children have to make their own decisions as an adult (60%), not wanting to interfere (31%) and believing offspring would be annoyed or offended (23%). What’s more, more than half (55%) admit they aren’t very familiar with what their child does for a living.
Dr Beauregard commented, “Parents know they are one of the most important factors in shaping their child’s upbringing; however this input usually drops off once they enter the full-time workforce. A big reason for this is parents feel like they know less about what their child is doing. BIYP is a great way for parents to understand what their chid does and all the useful advice they still have to give. The Lighthouse Parent embodies this parenting style by continuing to take an interest in a child’s career and giving guidance when required – without interfering.”
In Malaysia, Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre (MaGIC) will be holding the BIYP Day on 25 November 2015 where employees will host their parents to a fun day at the office.
LinkedIn Bring In Your Parents Day will be held in 17 countries including the United Kingdom, United States, France, The Netherlands, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Australia, India, Canada, Singapore, New Zealand, Malaysia, China, Japan and Hong Kong[CD1] , and encourages businesses and individuals worldwide to take part in the day. 25,000 people took part in 2014 and this year companies including Samsung and Doro are already signed up to take part. Whether you’re a parent, an employee, or a business, you can find out how to take part by visiting www.biyp.linkedin.com. Join conversations on Twitter with #LinkedIn #BIYP.