‘Progress does not come from obedience’: Gurgaon CEO explains how healthy disagreements with parents support personal growth, independent thinking

As children, most of us have grown up in households where the term ‘good’ was often used to define kids who always obeyed their parents. The ones who were praised were those who never questioned decisions put forward by elders, followed their instructions without resistance, and quietly accepted rules, even when skeptical. Whether it was following family traditions blindly or staying silent during arguments instead of speaking their minds, obedience was frequently seen as a sign of respect. But this practice, if continued, can hinder your growth, making you a dependent adult in the future who is unable to make decisions for themselves.

Recently, Knot Dating CEO Jasveer Singh shared his 2 cents on the matter on his X-handle. In his post, the professional put out a blunt fact: ‘If you agree with the previous generation on everything, there is no point in being born in this one.’

Conformity can hold back future generations

Explaining his stance on the matter, Jasveer Singh highlighted a rather brutal reality. He revealed that most Indian parents have a habit of spoon-feeding their kids. But the custom barely changes when they grow up into adults. Even then, parents expect their children to agree with whatever they say or tell them to do, not because of logic but only because they are older in age.

According to Jasveer Singh, every generation is naturally expected to be sharper, wiser, and more progressive than the previous generation. He pointed out that human advancement, from primitive survival to groundbreaking innovations like artificial intelligence, has only been possible because people challenged conventional ideas rather than following them without thought. In his view, true progress stems from disagreement, critical thinking, and the courage to question established norms.

Power of questioning tradition for real progress

However, the CEO argued that in many Indian households, this natural progression is often reversed. Children who unquestioningly agree with their elders are typically labelled as ‘good,’ obedient, and worthy of praise, while those who challenge opinions or think independently are often seen as disrespectful or problematic. But the real problem starts when they grow up. Accustomed to conformity, the same adults think twice before making any decision, feel confused in a tricky situation and can end up lost when alone, as they have always relied on parental guidance instead of developing the confidence to trust their own judgment.

Jasveer Singh stressed that constantly agreeing with parents does not necessarily reflect wisdom, but rather convenience. He ultimately suggested that every new generation must think, question, and decide differently to drive meaningful growth and become the best version of themselves by building their unique personality with their own values, beliefs and mindset, instead of merely walking on the path their elders showed them.