Nepotism is one of those words that instantly stirs up strong opinions. I have been thinking about it a lot lately because you see it everywhere, not just in politics or business, but especially in certain film industries. There are families who have been in the spotlight for generations, where the parents pass the torch down to their kids to keep the family name alive and visible. And you know what, I get it. If I was born into that type of situation and I had an interest in being in the limelight, I would absolutely take the opportunity too. Who wouldn’t want a head start if the door is already wide open for them.
The problem for me is not the existence of nepotism. It is when those who step into these positions are not really prepared or skilled in the craft. Growing up around something does not automatically make you great at it. Watching your parents act, or run a business, or play a sport is not the same thing as learning the skill for yourself. You can admire it, you can soak in the environment, but it does not mean you have what it takes without putting in the hours of actual training and practice. That is where I think things fall short. If someone works at it and hones their ability, then sure, the conversation around nepotism does not even matter anymore because the talent speaks for itself.
But this got me thinking beyond just the obvious examples in film or politics. It made me reflect on how many parents want their children to follow in their footsteps. Sometimes it comes from a place of love, like they want to save their kids from uncertainty. Sometimes it comes from pride, wanting to see their legacy carried on. And sometimes, I think it just comes from fear. If they already know a certain path works, they convince themselves it is the safest one to push their child down.
I personally am very much against forcing a child into a life or career just because it is familiar or convenient. Everyone is born with their own talents, their own ideas, their own dreams. To me, parenting is about giving your kids the freedom to discover who they are and what excites them. It is not about boxing them into the life you think is best. Whenever I think about my boys and their future, the one thing I know for sure is that I want them to explore. I want them to be curious, to try things that might scare them a little, to study in a new city, maybe even in a new country. I want them to take chances and really learn about themselves in the process.
When I look back at my own life, I realize how important that time of exploration is, especially in your twenties and thirties before the responsibilities of marriage and kids take over. Do not get me wrong, I love being married and I love being a mom. But it is true that once you have a family, your decisions are not just your own anymore. You cannot just pack a bag and move across the world on a whim. Every choice becomes a group choice, and that is a beautiful thing, but it is also a limiting thing. That is why I want my kids to soak up every ounce of independence and opportunity while they are young and free.
It is not about rejecting tradition completely. If one of my kids decides they truly want to pursue something I have done, then of course I would support them. But the key difference is that it would be their choice, not mine. They would be stepping into it with genuine interest, not pressure. And I think that makes all the difference in the world.
At the end of the day, whether it is nepotism in certain industries or simply the weight of parental expectation, the truth remains the same. Life is not meant to be lived through someone else’s footsteps. It is about creating your own. It is about stumbling and getting back up, trying and failing, and eventually finding the path that feels right for you. That is the gift I want to give my kids. Not the burden of a legacy, but the freedom of possibility.
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