Corporate parenting in some jurisdictions is a deliberate and combined approach by individuals and organisations to provide service and support for children at different levels of their development. In Jamaica, that is yet to germinate, but the often negative impact of corporate Jamaica on parenting is being constantly debated.
Some parents have hectic work schedules that have resulted in a failed family life. In fact, some of the crime in the country is being blamed on these schedules that have kept parents out of the home.
According to Dr Leahcim Semaj, the most important thing an adult could be involved in is parenting the next generation. Therefore, he cautioned, "Children don't stay young for very long and before you know it they are grown, so you end up missing everything and at the end of the day the single most important activity is parenting."
Love and time
He added, "The way that children spell love is T-I-M-E and children need parents' presence more than they need their presents."
But working parents never seem to have enough time for a family life, the expert said, as when they are at home, there's more work waiting for them. So taking a minute out of a busy schedule doesn't seem to exist.
However, he said, "Despite the busy schedule, the primary thing is to socialise the children who are the next generation."
Semaj further added that there are a number of companies that have a public image of being very caring, but the choices they give to their workers, especially their executives, force them to abandon their families.
"Much of corporate Jamaica force their managers to choose between their jobs and their homes. A lot of them make it clear in their culture as a business that they do not respect persons' role as a parent and the only role is how much money you can make for them," he informed.
"It's an issue that we have to come to grips with, just in terms of the type of choices we make."
Despite making their choice, Semaj said, when things go bad parents tend to be sorry and at that point they try to replay the tape to see where they went wrong.
Linked to crime rate
He attributed the hike in criminal activities in the country to the busy schedule of parents. He said it has got worse since more females, who are single parents, are in the workforce.
"Many of the problems that we have now with criminality among our teenagers stem from parents spending more time at work and less time with their children to teach them what is right from wrong," he said.
Semaj explained that parents should adopt a sense of work-life balance which is the process by which persons balance the two roles that they play.
In taking on the challenge of corporate parenting, Semaj said the real measure for Jamaica is the extent to which persons encourage, endorse and facilitate work-life balance, so parents don't have to abandon their children in order for them to progress.
Ways to have a career and a home life
Develop time-management skills by making sure things are done when they ought to be done so that your day is not a 20-hour routine.
Take the time to see what your role is as a parent.
Establish, from the initial stage at your workplace, that you are a parent.
In an effort to cut back on the amount of time spent at work, utilise the computer. It's a good way to be with your family and work at the same time.
Know when to turn off the cellphones so you can devote yourself to your family, since managers are expecting you to be on call.
Tips by Dr Leahcim Semaj