The Pros And Cons Of Helicopter Parenting

They are loud, anxious and annoying. People everywhere are trying to find ways to deal with them. They can be found in schools, ballparks, and at the first sign of trouble. No, not teenagers: Parents. "Helicopter parenting" is a term used to describe parents obsessed with their child 's success and safety. The parents cautiously hover over them, sheltering them from mistakes or disappointment, isolating them from the world around them (Vinson). They are over controlling, over protecting, and over perfecting, in a way that is excessive to responsible parenting. This term was first used by Dr. Ηaim Ginott in his book Between Parent & Teenagers in 1969. The term became very popular and was added to the dictionary in 2011 (Bayless). This parenting …show more content…
The most protected and programmed children yet. Many from the Millennial Generation grew up with parents who controlled every part of their life. This generation is now either in college or entering college. Some were not able to leave mom at home (Vinson). While most parents start scaling back their involvement when their child head to college, helicopter parents ramp up support (Almendrala). Helicopter parents are contacting presidents of universities and professors disputing their child 's grades, demanding an extension for their child, complaining their child does not receive as much praise as the parent thinks they deserve, and even completing assignments for their child (Vinson). Surveys and studies reveal the phenomenon is widespread in the U.S. In a particular national survey of college students, 38 percent of freshmen and 29 percent of seniors said their parents intervened on their behalves to solve problems either "very often" or "sometimes" …show more content…
Indiana University psychologist Chris Meno said that over-involved "helicopter parenting" is taking a serious toll on the psychological well-being of college students who have not begun to negotiate a balance between asking for consultation and independent decision making (””Helicopter Parents“ Stir Up Anxiety“). Parents’ involvement in their child’s daily life in college include decisions regarding admissions, housing, class schedules, grades, disciplinary matters, and relationships with roommates, advisors, faculty, and career services (Vinson). "It 's amazing how non-independent students have become," Meno said. It is not unusual for students to be calling and checking in with mom three or four times a day. They are calling parents to make decisions about dropping a class, making a purchase, or dealing with any kind of setback. Kids today are much more likely to say that their parent is their best friend, and it is good in a way that they have a close relationship, but this kind of dependency leads to a lack of confidence in being able to achieve things on their own (”’Helicopter Parents’ Stir Up