Ankur Warikoo on Teaching Resilience to Privileged Children

In a recent LinkedIn post, Ankur Warikoo discusses the profound challenge of teaching resilience and the value of struggle to children who have grown up in privilege, shielded from the hardships their parents experienced.

Warikoo, co-founder of nearbuy.com and a prominent entrepreneur, shared his personal reflections on how his own children’s experiences differ vastly from his and his wife Ruchi’s upbringing. He highlights the stark contrast in perspectives that can arise between generations when financial security is achieved.

“How do you teach resilience to someone who’s never had to struggle?”

This central question frames Warikoo’s concern. He recounts his and Ruchi’s journey from modest beginnings, where their parents’ sacrifices paved the way for their education and eventual escape from a life of mere survival. This hard-won stability, however, means their children, Vidur (15) and Uzma (9), have a different frame of reference for success.

The Generational Divide in Perspective

Warikoo illustrates this divergence through the potential responses of his children. He posits that his younger daughter, Uzma, born into a more comfortable life, might associate success with the visible outcomes of his settled career, such as working from home, traveling, and financial prosperity. This, as Warikoo points out, is a significantly skewed perception compared to the reality of the decades of effort involved.

In contrast, his older son, Vidur, who was born when Warikoo and Ruchi were facing near-bankruptcy, has some memory of their struggle. Warikoo suggests Vidur might articulate a more grounded understanding:

“You have to go to work and slog. There may be hard days but you persist and life works out hopefully and eventually.”

This difference underscores Warikoo’s core dilemma: how to impart the lessons learned from 40 years of hardship to children who were born into the outcome of that struggle, without diminishing their current reality.

Parenting in the Face of Privilege

The entrepreneur emphasizes that the greatest parental responsibility is not to shield children from their privilege, but to make them aware of it. This awareness, he suggests, is the first step towards fostering an appreciation for the effort that underpins their comfortable lives and, by extension, developing a resilient mindset.

The Challenge of Remembering Struggle

Warikoo poses a direct question to his audience, reflecting his own ongoing contemplation:

“So that is the question for you today. How do you remember that struggle when life has changed permanently and for the better?”

He advocates for a nuanced approach, one that acknowledges the present security while instilling an understanding of the past efforts. This involves sharing the narrative of their journey, the obstacles overcome, and the mindset required to navigate adversity. As Ankur Warikoo articulates, the goal is to cultivate a sense of gratitude and a realistic understanding of success, rather than allowing privilege to breed complacency.

Ultimately, Warikoo’s post serves as a candid exploration of a common challenge faced by many parents who have successfully transitioned from struggle to stability. It prompts a broader conversation about how to effectively cultivate character and resilience in the next generation, ensuring they value hard work and perseverance, even when life’s immediate circumstances are comfortable.