Parenmark Consulting: Guiding African families through parenting challenges in the diaspora

As the world continues to witness a surge in migration, particularly among Africans seeking better opportunities abroad, the spotlight is shifting to an often-overlooked challenge: parenting in the diaspora. The cultural shifts, generational divides, and identity crises faced by African families abroad require a tailored approach to ensure children thrive without losing their heritage. Enter Parenmark Consulting—a pioneering organization redefining parenting for African families navigating life in foreign lands.

In this exclusive interview, Tribune Newspaper sits down with Mr. Akinola Akinropo, the visionary founder of Parenmark Consulting, to discuss the organization’s plans for 2025 and beyond. With a mission to support African families in maintaining their cultural values while adapting to new environments, Parenmark is tackling the complex realities of parenting in a globalized world head-on.

From cultural dissonance to the generational divide and identity crises among children, Mr. Akinropo sheds light on the unique challenges faced by African parents abroad. More importantly, he outlines Parenmark’s holistic solutions—from parenting workshops and online support communities to mentorship programs and partnerships with global organizations—all aimed at empowering families to raise confident, value-driven children.

This in-depth conversation offers a glimpse into Parenmark’s impactful initiatives and its unwavering commitment to shaping the narrative of parenting for Africans in the diaspora. With a clear vision for the future, Parenmark Consulting is not only addressing the challenges of today but also laying the groundwork for a stronger, united African diaspora in the years to come.

Thank you for choosing to sit and also meet with us today, Mr. Akinola Akinropo. To start, what motivated Parenmark Consulting to actually focus lately on African families in the diaspora?

Thank you really for having me. We have noticed that over the past few years, we’ve witnessed a great increase with Nigerians and not just them but also many Africans migrating and travelling out to countries like Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom—running away with a mindset of making tangible results and living the life of their dreams.

We don’t admit to the fact that this movement has recently brought many opportunities, but sadly it has also introduced parenting challenges that many families were not aware about and prepared for. At Parenmark, we really desire to help families navigate these challenges effectively as it occurs daily.

Talking about challenges, What are some of these challenges you’ve observed?

Good question, we have noticed that there are three primary hurdles. First, it had been the case of cultural disunity and disagreement. Parents tend to move to countries where their values and systems are quite different from what they grew up with and are used to. For instance, in Africa, we are very emphatic about respect by children and young ones for elders and communal living. But in such places like Canada or the U.S., where children are quite exposed to more of an individualistic culture, parents can’t really do much and they end up finding themselves caught in between holding firm to their roots and also trying as much as possible to adapt to new norms, which creates a more of a disconnection and disunity. 

That’s really a major challenge. What do you have to say about discipline and communication? Many parents seem to struggle in that area as well.

Exactly and it’s so obvious. That brings us to the second major issue which is this enormous parenting gap and generational disunity. In Africa, we know that discipline tends to be very strict and also authoritative as well. However, in these Western countries, parenting is more centered on negotiation and communication with no form of strictness due to freedom. Parents who were brought up with traditional methods and decides to use that as well for their children often becomes faced with resistance, and a majority of these practices are even viewed as abuse in these new environments, practices like flogging a child for wrong doing. Without adapting these western countries disciplinary approach, parents may tend to face a disalignment with their children and major conflicts with their children who may now perceive their methods as being outdated or so harsh.

Not just about the parents now, I really imagine that this must be very difficult for children who are growing up in a different culture and in the diaspora.

Yes sadly so, and that now makes us dive into the third challenge that naturally occurs: that is the identity crisis in children. Many kids in the diaspora often feel like they are stuck between two worlds and feel the need to choose one which seems to be more comfortable. They are Africans by heritage but they may feel very disconnected from their source because their parents has failed to intentionally instill cultural pride in them even as they get older. This can cause a whole lot of confusion, mental health issues, low self-esteem, and  even a great difficulty in navigating both their African identity and also the society they live in.

These are really challenging issues. How does Parenmark Consulting plan to address and bring about a notable solution to all these challenges?

At Parenmark, we’ve already innovated an adequate and also a clear strategy for supporting African families in the diaspora. I think I will need to highlight a few key areas.

Please do.

First, we tend to be starting out major parenting workshops and effective seminars. These will really help parents in navigating and avoiding cultural gap, adopt effective and a more reasonable communication strategies that can be acceptable and also help in resolving and avoiding major generational conflicts.

Can you please shed more light on that?

Sure, I can. We would give into training parents on how best to balance our African values with the acceptance and well recognised Western approaches without alienating and destroying their children. We actually want parents to refine and restrategize their methods—not replace them because they feel it can’t work out in their new environment. The goal we aim for is to merge the strengths of both worlds and raise well-rounded, bold, respectful, well-behaved and confident children.

How do you intend to reach this vast market?

We have a train-the-trainer program that we intend to use to spread the impact of our services. By collaborating with other parenting coaches and sharing our curriculum and strategies we intend to multiply the impact we have envision within a short time. Like you rightly said, the market is vast. So also is the opportunity to create generational impact and explore the consequential vast business in our niche in the diaspora market. Sharing our content and our approach with other foreign parenting coaches definitely will create a win-win for everyone.

Wao! That sounds really juicy. I can see your passion for your niche. What else do you think will attract others to join your campaign?

We plan to collaborate with other parenting coaches who have been trying to penetrate our local market in conducting training and seminars. Our already established local presence and reach is something many international organizations will find useful in Nigeria. The fact is that Nigeria as nation is massive. We are about 230 million in population. Then Nigerians in particular also have become a significant population in everywhere they have migrated to. Before now we focused majorly on our local market, but in 2025, we are extending our services to these Nigerians in diaspora.    

That sounds really interesting and impactful. Thought about a structure for ongoing support? Parenting challenges don’t end after attending a seminar.

You’re absolutely correct and we can’t disregard that. That’s the main reason why we thought about the establishment of online support communities for parents. These platforms will be including major webinars which would be featuring well known and recognised child psychologists, cultural experts, and cross-cultural parenting specialists that are rooted in culture. This would even bring about parents from different region the opportunity to connect with one another, share their unique experiences, and also access a digital resource hub full of practical tools that would make implementation easier.

And how about the children? How do you intend to support them also because they are equally affected?

Yes, we are actually going to be launching programs specifically for African children in the diaspora that may be going through such cases. These innovative may include cultural education where the children can learn alot about their African history, traditions, and also their languages. We are also creating several identity-building workshops to help these children embrace and see the need to hold firm to their heritage and also build their self-esteem because generally Africa is known for boldness. Additionally, we intend to introduce to them mentorship programs where African professionals in the diaspora can serve as great role models and examples to them.

It has become vividly clear that Parenmark has a very strong vision. Why do you so much believe that this mission is so important for most Africans abroad?

In our advanced world of today, most Africans in the diaspora are significantly shaping strong perceptions about our continent. Well-structured families can in turn produce confident individuals who can thrive anywhere and contribute positively to their societies regardless of the diversities. We believe that by empowering parents, we aim and inspire a generation of young Africans who see the possibility of carrying their heritage with pride while excelling in the diaspora.

That’s a very precise and powerful point. Any final thoughts for our readers and those who look up to you for the possibility of this project?

Yes. I would say emphatically that we cannot afford to lose our children to identity crises or generational divides that are being caused by cultural misunderstandings, it’s not worth the division. African parents needs to be more intentional about raising children who truly understands where they come from and where they are headed. Parenmark is committed to walking alongside these families as a support system and a backbone, providing visible, practical and innovative solutions for the course of effective parenting.

Thank you, Mr. Akinropo. It’s really a pleasure speaking with you and having you here. Parenmark’s work is truly motivating, inspiring, and sincerely, we look forward to seeing the impact it will have in the future beyond 2025.

Thank you for this great opportunity. Parenmark will continue to serve as a major beacon for African families, and we choose to take it one family at a time.

Parenmark Consulting’s mission towards empowering African families in the diaspora highlights the great importance of bringing about a balance in cultural preservation and social adaptability. It’s foreseen that by the offering of innovative solutions and also by fostering a sense of unity in the community, Parenmark is ensuring that African children are largely prepared to thrive in their host countries without a sense of losing touch with their source.

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