Benefits Of Helicopter Parenting

The term “helicopter parent” was coined in 1990 by Foster Cline and Jim Fay to describe a constantly hovering parent, ready to get involved at a moment’s notice. Whenever a problem arises, the parents are first to respond, not allowing their child to bear any burden. These parents often over-schedule their children’s lives with extracurricular activities and classes in the hope this will insure their success. Often times these parents make decisions for their kids, causing them to be unprepared for independent and self-sufficient life. One argument commonly raised is that helicopter parenting increases the chances for safety of children, but it has been to proven to impair adolescents with issues like parental dependency, ineffective coping
If a child has been helicopter parented they are much more likely to be “dependent, neurotic, and unwilling to try new experiences” than children with less intrusive parenting (Parenting). This essentially defeats the entire purpose of this raising method because by forcing adolescents into activities, parents are diminishing their desire to be adventurous. A study performed by Larry J. Nelson, a professor at BYU, proves hyper-parenting is associated with “negative aspects of emerging adults’ development” incorporating “more pessimistic views of marriage, indices of anxiety, depression, and lower life satisfaction and psychological well-being” (Nelson). These consequences are directly correlated to this parenting method and can be avoided if parents would allow their kids to think independently. Brought on by parents, the adolescents’ “overwhelming fear of failure and disappointing others” can lead to mental illnesses and lack of confidence (Lythcott-Haims). This lack of confidence will diminish their sense of self and make them easier targets for emotional abuse. In the onslaught of consequences brought on by helicopter parenting, the most damaging are the psychological effects that attack the mind of the young adult. Consequently, even though helicopter parenting may increase the chance of physical well-being of young adults, the negative consequences such as dependency, fruitless life skills, and psychological effects more than outweigh the benefits. A more relaxed, nurturing parenting method could rear more independent and confident children, solving this issue. Because even though parents want the best for their kids, helicopter parenting ultimately sets their children up for a life full of failure and