The stuff in bold is new and I need to know what else to keep and delete anything I should add???? THANKS FOR YOUR HELP BOO To what extent should parents be involved in their children’s lives? (Helicopter Parents) An epidemic is running rampant in schools and it’s a result of helicopter parents impeding on institutions of education. “Helicopter parenting” is a term used to describe a phenomenon of a growing number of parents, obsessed with their children’s success and safety, who vigilantly hover over them, sheltering them from mistakes, disappointment, or risks, shielding the world around them. There are many things that drive parents to be protective. Instinct, gut feelings, and psychological responses are a few of the causes. …show more content…
This causes a lack of self-empowerment within the child. In the article "Helicopter parents" stir up anxiety, depression by Chris Meno, she illuminates the severity of effects that overprotective parents can have on their children’s lives. Meno refers to this constant contact between child and parent as an “addiction” for the child. She discusses the steps she takes to help these children "I'll make suggestions like, 'Catch yourself when you are about to call home, and ask yourself if there is any way that you could figure the problem out on your own,' or 'If you are calling four times a day, try to get it down to one.'"(Meno). This level of involvement that happens between a parent and child, especially during their college years, can take a serious toll on the psychological well-being of children who have not begun to negotiate a balance between asking for consultation and independent decision making. This is a cause for a lack of independence and self-empowerment for the child. They are unable to feel secure making a decision on their own without the consult of their parent. The adult children of helicopter parents are also more susceptible to high levels of depression and anxiety, Meno explained "When children aren't given the space to struggle through things on their own, they don't learn to problem-solve very well. They don't learn to be confident in their own …show more content…
In her article “Do helicopter parents help or harm the kids?”, Jayson illuminates the benefits and losses within the helicopter parenting style. “Researchers found much more positive effects from what they termed "intense support." The study, published in August in the Journal of Marriage and Family, shows that adult kids reported better psychological adjustment than those who didn't have intense support--financial, advice and emotional.” (Jayson) This research provided evidence that helicopter parents can have a strong, positive influence on their children’s lives, leading them to greater success. But, while some research showed that it can be a positive influence on the children’s lives, it also proved a decrease in parental life satisfaction. The research showed that as scores went up on their helicopter parenting scale, the overall psychological well-being of those parents, went down. "It's kind of its own animal," Buchanan says. "You have a lot of engagement, but you're not fostering independence. You are engaged with your kids, but deciding for them certain issues."(Jayson). In this example there is proof that there needs to be balance between total control and total independence. This excerpt also shows that there are some benefits to the helicopter parenting