Although some parents may be reluctant to let their children explore their surroundings alone, allowing kids to wander can build their sense of direction and independence. Since the second world war, every generation has worried that children are spoilt, cosseted, or being corrupted by new technologies. But, on many measures, today’s children are doing just fine. In the current generation, it is visible how much a parent influences the future of a child.
Helicopter Dad or Mom monitors almost all the aspects of a child ranging from movement to the way he or she walks, talks, and behaves in society. It cannot be categorized under care but under care which is not the need of the hour. Children growing up under helicopter parenting often tends to develop fear and insecurities in life which is more than what is required. Research has shown that overprotective parents can later harm the child and his or her overall development.
The style seen in Helicopter Parenting is more that of ‘authoritative’ where the parents impose their authority on their children forgetting the fact that they are still growing and they too require space and child friendly environment to grow up. People who engage in over-parenting are not adjusting their parenting and letting the child have greater autonomy, they still want to control all the child’s outcomes. This will not only make the child over-dependent on Parents but also decreases his or her confidence and changes their approach towards life. Researchers have found that over-parenting can lead to psychological distress, narcissism, poor adjustment, alcohol, and drug use, and also a host of various other problems in emerging adults ages 18 to 25.
Perfectionism is a possible driver of helicopter Parenting
Perfectionism is a psychological trait of wanting to be perfect, wanting success, and wanting to have positive accolades that you can point to. Perfectionistic parenting styles encourage parents to see their children’s success as a reflection on them and chances are high that parents may engage in over-parenting to achieve “perfect” results.
They want to live enthusiastically and victoriously from the achievements that their children accomplish during their lifetime. They want to see their children achieve because it makes them look good. Anxious parents may also fall prey to Helicopter Parenting, they always look for the best for their child and comparison is an important factor that comes into the scene. In today’s world, where competition is an unavoidable factor, parents often tend to pressurize children for the best outcomes which are indeed spoiling the child’s mental peace and stability. Parents need to protect and care for their children; they should not be overprotective in any sense. The research conducted shows that many of the parent involved in Helicopter Parenting was Moms.
It doesn’t bring all-round development or growth of a child when he or she is nurtured through helicopter parenting, it only results in rising anxiety and destroying their mental peace. Parents must know what is required and when for their child. Perfectionism is not a crucial factor in the lives of humans, but one can try for it. Thus, Helicopter Parenting cannot be promoted for bringing out good assets in the country. Give children their chance to make a choice, all parents need to do is guide them on the right path, which if done at a young age, will develop as they grow.
- UNITTA ANNA SHAJI