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 nearly a fifth of UK workers (19%), career advice stops when they get their first job, despite over a third (37%) of children saying they’ve been given too little career advice from their parents.
These findings mark the launch of the third annual LinkedIn Bring in Your Parents Day, a global event on November 5th in which professionals 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, from the London School of Economics who has researched the influence of families in the workplace. 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 UK parents aren’t short of potential advice, 41% 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reasons were: thinking children have to make their own decisions as an adult (58%) and feeling their advice might be out of date (35%). What’s more, a quarter (26%) admit they aren’t very familiar with what their child does for a living, and only 23% of children feel their parents understand what they do.
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 child 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.”
Darain Faraz, LinkedIn UK, added: “Parents can be a valuable part of their child’s career, and an important source of advice and guidance. Our research shows that almost half of parents have an opinion on their child’s work situation but often hold back because they don’t fully understand what they do for a living.
“Bring In Your Parents Day is a great way for professionals across the UK to help their parents fully understand what they do, and encourage them to continue sharing expertise and support with them throughout their career.”
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.
Over 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 and join the conversations on Twitter with @LinkedInUK / #BIYP.
