"Boss, I'm the Mother of Employee OOO"... Parents Getting Involved in Their Children's Workplaces [World is Z Gold]

Parental Involvement in Children's Job Search Expands
"Career Co-Piloting" Grows Among U.S. Generation Z
Some Parents Even Participate in Salary Negotiations
"Excessive Involvement Should Be Avoided"

Editor's NoteGeneration Z (born in the late 1990s to early 2010s) is recognized as a generation leading culture and trends amid rapid change, setting new standards across society. [World is Z Gold] sheds light on the lives and values of Generation Z around the world, exploring how they are transforming society.

Recently, in the United States, there has been a growing trend of parents actively participating in their children's job search process, known as "career co-piloting." Examples include parents helping with resume writing and revisions, directly contacting employers, or getting involved in salary negotiations. This phenomenon is attributed to increased uncertainty about the future, combined with corporate cultures that demand early performance from new hires.

Even Editing Resumes... Parents Actively Involved in Their Children's Careers

On February 23 (local time), the U.S. business magazine Forbes reported that in the past, this kind of parental involvement in children's job searches was called "helicopter parenting." "Helicopter parents" refers to excessively involved parents who handle tasks their children could manage on their own, such as cooking, cleaning, or paying bills. Forbes explained that this type of over-involvement is now appearing in the workplace context as well.

In fact, a significant number of Generation Z employees reportedly receive various forms of assistance from their parents regarding their work life. According to a report released on February 18 by the job search platform Zety, 67% of Generation Z employees stated that they "regularly receive career advice from their parents." The survey targeted 1,001 Generation Z respondents.

The range of parental support was also broad. 44% of respondents said their parents helped them write or revise their resumes, and 20% had parents accompany them to job interviews. Additionally, 28% received parental assistance during salary or benefits negotiations, and 56% said their parents visited their workplace outside of official events.

This phenomenon is also interpreted as being linked to the uncertainty of the employment environment. Last year, the average monthly job growth in the United States was 49,000, the lowest level in the past 20 years. As the labor market slows, the employment burden on young people has increased, leading to expanded parental involvement compared to the past.

Career expert Jasmine Escalera assessed that this trend has certain positive aspects. She noted that parental advice can boost the confidence of young people taking their first steps in society and help them set a direction for their career. She said, "If parents play the role of strategic supporters, it can help young employees understand the reward system, reduce mistakes, and express themselves effectively."

However, she emphasized that excessive parental involvement should be avoided. Escalera pointed out, "If parents contact employers directly or participate in the interview process, it can raise doubts about the applicant's independence, professionalism, and preparedness," adding, "Companies evaluate not only job skills but also judgment and autonomy." While advice on mock interviews or negotiation strategies can be helpful, directly intervening in the hiring process crosses a line. She added that parents should transition their role to supporting their children in making their own decisions and negotiations, rather than solving problems for them.

Sluggish Employment and Delayed Youth Independence... The ‘Kangaroo Tribe’ Phenomenon Continues

Meanwhile, as in the United States, the domestic youth employment market is also facing challenges. According to the "January Employment Trends" released by the National Data Office on February 11, the number of employed people aged 15 or older last month was 27,986,000, an increase of 108,000 compared to the same month last year. The employment rate for those aged 15 to 64 was 69.2%, a relatively high level, but this mainly resulted from an increase in elderly employment.

In contrast, the number of employed young people (aged 15 to 29) decreased by 175,000, extending a decline for the 39th consecutive month. The youth employment rate fell by 1.2 percentage points to 43.6%. Factors such as work automation due to the spread of artificial intelligence (AI), a reduction in open recruitment and an increase in rolling recruitment, and hiring practices that favor experienced workers over entry-level employees are cited as reasons for the decline in youth jobs.

As the employment environment becomes more challenging, the so-called "Kangaroo Tribe" phenomenon-where young adults live with their parents due to financial burdens-continues. Delays in employment and economic independence are leading to prolonged family support. This trend of adult children living with their parents is now global: in Canada, these individuals are called "boomerang kids," while in China, adults who remain financially dependent on their parents are referred to as "full-time children."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.