#WorkLifeBalance

A growing body of research and personal stories reveals a quiet form of depression that can affect high achievers: high-functioning depression. People live with inner distress while maintaining productivity and outward success. In Thailand, where performance and harmony are highly valued in workplaces, campuses, and families, this condition can easily go unnoticed.

For Thai readers in demanding roles, the issue hits close to home. A respected U.S. psychiatrist notes that success and public recognition can mask deep sadness. Thai culture’s emphasis on face-saving and collectivism can also discourage people from showing vulnerability. Understanding these dynamics helps communities spot hidden distress before it worsens.

A viral confession about intergenerational pressure has sparked a broader debate in Thailand over expectations around marriage, children, and support networks. The discussion echoes a global conversation: older parents urging their children to start families, while real-world backing often falls short once grandchildren arrive. The conversation is playing out online and in households across Thailand, where traditional norms still shape life choices.

According to reports, the video highlighted a stark gap between persistent parental urging to “settle down and have a family” and the practical help—or lack thereof—some grandparents provide after grandchildren come into the world. The message resonates with many Thai and international Millennials and Gen Z adults who feel constrained by long-standing expectations without reliable community or family backing.

A recent viral video has reignited a global discussion about the generational double standards around family-building, as one woman called out baby boomer parents for pressuring their children to have kids—only to withhold meaningful support once the grandchildren arrived. The conversation, which originated from a candid social media confession, has led to broader debate in Thailand, where societal expectations around marriage, parenthood, and intergenerational care remain deeply rooted.

The woman’s video, reported by Upworthy, struck a chord with viewers by highlighting the gap between the persistent urging of older parents for their children to “settle down and have a family,” and the reality that, once grandchildren arrive, practical help—from babysitting to emotional support—can be limited or conditional. The case mirrors experiences shared by many Millennial and Gen Z adults globally, including those in Thai society, who feel squeezed by traditional expectations without adequate communal or familial backing (Upworthy).

In a groundbreaking push for gender equality and better parental support, British fathers are being urged to join the world’s first “Dad strike”, amplifying demands for more generous paternity leave in the United Kingdom, where statutory provisions remain among the lowest in Europe. The movement is set to culminate in a public protest with fathers and their babies outside the Department for Business and Trade in London on June 11, aiming to pressure the government into reforming policies for dads and non-birthing partners. The campaign reflects growing international attention to the critical role of fathers in early childhood and the wider debate about work-life balance amid changing social norms.

British fathers are organizing the world’s first “Dad strike” to demand broader, better-paid paternity leave. The protest outside the Department for Business and Trade in London on June 11 aims to press the government for reforms that support dads and non-birthing partners. The movement underscores the growing recognition of fathers’ essential role in early childhood and the ongoing work-life balance debate.

For Thai readers, the issues resonate with Thailand’s own family policy debates and evolving family structures. In the UK, eligible fathers and non-birthing partners currently receive only two weeks of leave at a rate below the minimum wage, and self-employed co-parents receive no state support. In contrast, mothers can receive up to 90% of their average weekly earnings for the first six weeks, followed by a fixed rate for the next 33 weeks. Campaigners say these gaps reinforce gender inequality and limit children’s access to parental care. Research cited by advocates emphasizes the broader social costs of insufficient paternity support.

The pandemic reshaped family life worldwide, and Thailand is no exception. Fathers are taking on more active roles in childcare and daily routines, a trend that appears to persist beyond lockdowns. This shift matters not just for families but for Thai society, signaling evolving parenting norms and social expectations.

Before 2020, Thai culture often pictured fathers as primary breadwinners, while mothers handled day-to-day childcare and household tasks. The COVID-19 era disrupted these norms, with remote work and school closures forcing parents to stay home. Many fathers began assisting with online schooling, meal preparation, and playtime, marking a notable departure from traditional roles.

Stress is increasingly a daily reality in Thailand and around the world. New studies emphasize that chronic stress affects not only workplaces but everyday life and long-term health. For Thai readers navigating rapid economic change, social media pressures, and evolving work-life demands, understanding effective stress management is essential for both mental and physical well-being.

Recent global findings show that a large share of workers experience heightened stress. In major economies, up to six in ten employees report elevated work-related stress, with a 2024 global survey noting that 79% describe moderate-to-high stress. Younger workers and women often feel the most pressure. Common triggers include heavy workloads, blurred boundaries between work and home, financial strain, and constant connectivity. In Thailand, these pressures are intensified by cultural expectations around family roles, education, and the brisk pace of urban and rural life.

The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally redefined family life across the globe, with Thailand seeing its own transformation as fathers take on more active roles in childcare and family routines. Recent reports, including an op-ed from The New York Times, highlight a growing trend: dads are spending more time with their children since the pandemic, and this pattern appears to be holding steady post-pandemic (nytimes.com). This shift has significance not only for families but for the broader social fabric, raising questions about the future of parenting roles in Thailand and beyond.

A growing body of research is challenging the conventional wisdom that couples should wait until their careers and finances are fully secure before starting a family. According to a recent perspective published by Deseret News, parents who have children in their twenties can enjoy strong professional success, improved well-being, and meaningful family connections—with early parenthood offering a range of surprising advantages. The article, backed by studies and expert opinions, urges Thai families and policymakers to revisit their assumptions about the “right” time to start a family and consider the mounting evidence in favor of earlier parenthood.

A growing body of evidence challenges the idea that couples should wait until finances or careers are fully secure before starting a family. A recent perspective highlights that having children in your twenties can coincide with professional success, better well-being, and strong family bonds. The message invites Thai families and policymakers to examine the advantages of earlier parenthood in light of evolving research.

In Thailand, the average age of first-time parents is rising, reflecting a global trend toward delayed family formation. Many Thai youths worry about job stability and personal goals, yet new viewpoints suggest that early parenthood can be a source of happiness and resilience. This discussion matters as Thailand faces declining birth rates, an aging population, and questions about how families support each other across generations.

A new wave of research is questioning the cost of “doing it all” as a parent, with clear relevance for families across Thailand. The latest insights argue that the culture of “good parenting” often glorifies exhaustion and self-sacrifice, leaving parents drained, relationships strained, and personal well-being at risk. With Thai families juggling work, school, and social pressures, this perspective asks how we can protect health and happiness while supporting children’s growth.

A new wave of research and social commentary is shining a critical light on the true cost of “doing it all” as a parent — and the findings are deeply relevant for families across Thailand. The latest Psychology Today article, “Running on Empty: The True Cost of Doing It All” by Drs. Alona Pulde and Matthew Lederman, argues that today’s culture of “good parenting” glorifies exhaustion and self-sacrifice, leaving parents depleted, relationships strained, and personal well-being on the line (source). At a time when both global and Thai parents are expected to juggle relentless schedules, this new perspective asks: Are we sacrificing too much at the altar of good parenting, and what can we do differently for the health of both families and children?

A growing body of international research shows that grandparents are shouldering unprecedented levels of childcare—transforming not only family relationships but also the way societies must support both the elderly and the youngest generations. Recent reports, including one from The Atlantic published in April 2025, highlight “an age of peak grandparenting,” with nearly 60% of American grandmothers providing childcare for grandchildren, and more than 40% seeing a grandchild weekly. Experts warn that the consequences of this shift are profound, shaping retirement, family bonds, and child development not just in the West but across Asia—including Thailand, where traditional family structures and rapid societal changes intersect in unique ways.

Grandparents are taking an increasingly central role in childcare worldwide, reshaping family life and pressuring social systems to adapt. Recent research highlights a trend toward “an age of peak grandparenting,” with many grandparents providing regular care and support for working parents. In Thailand, rapid urbanization, shifting family structures, and an aging population mean grandparent involvement has grown in both importance and complexity.

Why this matters for Thai readers. Traditionally, Thai families relied on multigenerational support, with grandparents passing down culture and often stepping in to care for children. As more parents work outside the home and cities expand, older family members frequently shoulder caregiving duties, sometimes due to limited affordable formal care. In Bangkok and rural areas alike, data from UNICEF Thailand indicate that a notable share of young children live with grandparents or other extended family. This pattern affects child development, elder health, and household finances, underscoring the need for effective support systems.

Depression isn’t only about visible tears or withdrawal. Increasing research and expert voices show many suffer quietly while appearing energetic, high-achieving, and outwardly successful. This phenomenon, often called high-functioning depression, is gaining attention worldwide, including in Thailand where resilience and productivity are deeply valued.

In Thai culture, mental health conversations unfold through idioms like kreng jai—the reluctance to burden others—and a strong emphasis on maintaining harmony at home and work. As a result, many individuals mask distress by excelling in daily roles while privately struggling. Clinically, high-functioning depression involves classic symptoms such as low mood, disrupted sleep, changes in appetite, anhedonia (loss of pleasure), guilt, and restlessness, but without obvious dysfunction that triggers immediate treatment. Instead of disengaging, many keep over-performing, layering fatigue and stress atop constant busyness.

Depression isn’t always cloaked in tears, lethargy, and withdrawal. Increasing research and expert voices reveal that many silently suffer while appearing energetic, high-achieving, and outwardly successful—a phenomenon now widely called “high-functioning depression”. Recent insights from psychiatrist Dr. Judith Joseph, as highlighted in a widely-shared Mindbodygreen article, have sparked new conversations about how this overlooked mental health challenge is affecting high-achievers globally, including in Thailand, where stoicism and productivity are highly valued traits.

Managing stress related to busy schedules has become an ever-present concern in our fast-paced lives. A recent article by Jancee Dunn in The New York Times explores practical ways to alleviate time anxiety—a common struggle impacting many, as confirmed by a Pew Research Center survey indicating that 60% of people feel overwhelmed by their schedules at times. The insights shared in the piece, combined with expert advice, offer a pathway for individuals to regain control over their time and reduce stress.

Stress from jammed schedules is a mounting concern in today’s busy world. A New York Times piece by Jancee Dunn highlights practical ways to ease time anxiety, a struggle many feel. A Pew Research Center survey shows 60% of people sometimes feel overwhelmed by their schedules. The ideas, backed by experts, offer a path to reclaim control over time and lower stress.

New research points to time anxiety arising from self-imposed deadlines and urgency driven by others. The author notes strategies that can help, such as planning to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Though it sounds small, this habit can significantly reduce stress because it prevents last‑minute scrambles. Many hesitate, fearing extra free time, but studies show tasks often take longer than expected, making delays more likely when we rush.