Is Parent Hovering Helpful or Harmful

Is Parent Hovering Helpful or Harmful

PRO

Throughout history, society has developed many different styles of parenting, one of the most controversial being helicopter parenting. Merriam-Webster defines a helicopter parent as “a parent who is overly involved in the life of his or her child.” Helicopter parents are often given a bad rap in society. While this is understandable, it’s also slightly unfair when you look past the surface.

Do you ever wonder why your parents are always hovering over your shoulder? It may be annoying, but many kids need to realize that their parents love them and just want to protect them. Every good parent wants the best for their child and may express this feeling in different ways. Helicopter parents usually have good intentions, even if they seem over-controlling.

Many benefits can come out of helicopter parenting. For one, helicopter parents are always around and trying to be part of their child’s lives. This gives the child a support system that they can always rely on. Parents who aren’t always there can leave their children feeling alone and unwanted. For example, there’s a recurring movie cliche in which wealthy parents spend no time with their child, leaving the child to resort to bad deeds to get their attention. On the other side, there’s another family with stricter parents that may annoy the kids at times, but the kids are happier because their parents are around, caring for them.

Helicopter parents also keep their children in check. Without strict parents making sure their kids are behaving themselves, there would be a bunch of immature, chaotic kids running through the streets. Parents that let their children do whatever they want are not raising model citizens, and if their child continues to think they can get away with anything, they will carry this attitude into their adulthood.

Helicopter parents are often known to force their children to participate in multiple activities as well as require the child to perform well in school. While this may seem harsh at the moment, it is really beneficial to the child’s future.

In regards to participating in activities, it gives the child the opportunity to gain different skills and experiences. A free environment is created in which they can fail and learn from these failures. Meanwhile, children who are not introduced to these things will stay in a little bubble called their comfort zone; they often won’t do things they think they’ll be bad at or dislike and therefore, never have any true learning experiences.

Enforcing good school performance also benefits the child as it provides an open, more promising future. If the child is slacking in school and their parents aren’t watching, their attitude towards work will only worsen, giving them a hard time getting into college let alone find a job. In the short-term, the constant nagging about good grades may be tough but the future is bright and helicopter parents know this.

Many disagree with this viewpoint, saying that parents who always control their kids’ lives take away a child’s independence and ability to choose for themselves. All these are valid points that can be found true and I won’t deny that. Yet, kids are kids and their brains are still developing. They need some sort of guidance in making decisions because they won’t always make wise ones. They can learn from what their parents have taught them, and if they want to change their beliefs once they have the opportunity, they can. Helicopter parents aren’t going to always be on your back, usually, they are just trying to fly you down a safe path.

Situations with helicopter parents vary from person to person. Helicopter parents have their benefits but there are some situations in which they can be too extreme. I believe it is important for a parent to be strict to an extent to which the child is not turning into a crazy monkey, jumping through trees. That level of discipline will label the parent as a helicopter parent, but I don’t see anything wrong with that as long as the discipline is kept at a reasonable level. The most important thing is that the child is safe and happy.

kills and experiences. A free environment is created in which they can fail and learn from these failures. Meanwhile, children who are not introduced to these things will stay in a little bubble called their comfort zone; they often won’t do things they think they’ll be bad at or dislike and therefore, never have any true learning experiences.

Enforcing good school performance also benefits the child as it provides an open, more promising future. If the child is slacking in school and their parents aren’t watching, their attitude towards work will only worsen, giving them a hard time getting into college let alone find a job. In the short-term, the constant nagging about good grades may be tough but the future is bright and helicopter parents know this.

 

CON

The constant hovering of parents at a certain age is frustrating. In today’s world, many are familiar with the term “helicopter parents” or a newer term, “lawnmower parents” and what they are doing to youth. “Helicopter parents” describe parents who are constantly managing and controlling their child’s life to an over extent.

“Helicopter parents” start off with good intentions but there are consequences. The University of Colorado said “helicopter children” had less mental control and motivation to succeed. Parents want to prevent unhappiness but, without challenges problem-solving skills won’t exist. 

These parents are overly focused on their child, especially on failures and successes. They live through their child by taking responsibility for experiences. One of the main problems with overinvolvement is entitlement because life has always been adjusted to fit their needs. 

The short term goal may work but there will be a time when parents are not around to fix mistakes. American Psychology Association ran a study with 422 children from different backgrounds and they said: “Over controlling parenting when a child was 2 was associated with poorer emotional and behavioral regulation at age 5. The greater a child’s emotional regulation at age 5, the less likely he was to have emotional problems and the more likely he was to have better social skills.  By age 10, children with better impulse control were less likely to experience emotional and social problems and were more likely to do better in school.”

In 2010, Psychologist Neil Montgomery at Keene State College in New Hampshire surveyed 300 college freshmen about their parents’ involvement in their lives. It showed that students with “helicopter parents” were less open to new ideas and were more vulnerable and dependent. Parents have to set limits for their kids so they can identify right from wrong. In 2011, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga researchers found that students there with “helicopter parents” take medication for anxiety and depression. 

The recent scandal in colleges shows how parents go so far as to lie and cheat their child through life just to get them a good spot in society. College students who earned spots were at a disadvantage because of parents with money. The choices of some affected lives because of “helicopter parents.” 

The results of “helicopter parenting” prevent crucial life skills for the outside world.  Without a chance to try things on their own kids won’t be able to find creative solutions or make decisions for themselves. Freedom, to a certain degree, is what everyone needs because it is the only way to find purpose and happiness.