Comparison to emotional blackmail: Ankur Warikoo calls out common parenting errors that affect a child's life

Parent-child relationships can be complicated, layered with love, expectations, and unspoken pressure. Entrepreneur and content creator Ankur Warikoo recently sparked a conversation online after sharing what he believes are five common ways parents unintentionally go wrong. His post struck a chord with many young adults navigating strained family dynamics. From constant comparison to emotional pressure, Warikoo laid out patterns that, according to him, quietly shape a child’s confidence, identity, and decision-making well into adulthood.

Comparisons

Ankur Warikoo began by pointing to comparison as one of the most damaging habits. Children are often compared to others in the hope that it will push them to perform better. Instead, he explained, it creates a belief that nothing is ever enough because there will always be someone doing better.

Supressing curiosity

He then addressed how curiosity gets suppressed. As children, asking questions comes naturally. But when questioning is discouraged, kids begin to associate curiosity with ignorance. Over time, they stop exploring and start memorising answers, fearing that asking questions makes them look unintelligent.

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Society's approval

Warikoo also highlighted the weight given to society’s approval. Decisions about careers, marriage, lifestyle, and appearance are often influenced more by external validation than personal choice. According to him, this gradual prioritising of faceless societal standards can cause individuals to lose their sense of identity.

Personal experience

Another issue he mentioned is parents viewing the world solely through their own past experiences. While acknowledging that many parents had difficult lives that shaped their perspectives, he noted that the world has changed, even if certain biases have not. Traditional career paths, fixed deposits, government jobs, and a zero-sum mindset continue to dominate advice, even when new opportunities exist.

Emotional Blackmail

Finally, he spoke about emotional blackmail. Statements that appear selfless on the surface can deeply influence children’s decisions, often stopping them from making choices out of guilt rather than fear or laziness.

In the caption, Ankur Warikoo added that if someone has a complicated relationship with their parents, understanding these patterns might help. He suggested that if efforts to improve the bond fail, achieving financial independence and moving out, especially for those living with their parents, can create necessary space. According to him, sometimes distance is what ultimately helps preserve a relationship.