In the article “Kids of Helicopter Parents Are Sputtering Out” by Julie Lythcott-Haims, she talks about how parents instruct their children on what to do from when they are little to university students. She narrates how a child’s father would have divorced her mother if she had not specialized and majored in economics. This is because it took her seven years to complete school instead of the expected four years. Moreover, the kids’ father used to micromanage her every move, requiring her to study off campus at her uncle’s place every weekend. Professor Neil Montgomery surveyed 300 college students and discovered that those with helicopter parents were not open to new ideas and that their actions were more vulnerable, self-conscious, and anxious. In addition, Karen Able, a psychologist, accuses many parents who are overly involved in child-rearing of taking a significant toll on their college students’ mental health in the long run.
I agree with most of the points in this article since my mother is an absolute definition of a helicopter parent. In this article, a study of 438 college students was performed, whereby initial evidence was found to be causing a complex problem in the development of emerging adults (Lythcott-Haims 4).
I have always tried to do my thing, even if she keeps telling me what to do. Parents try their best to do more for their children, which is unsuitable for them. Parenting does not come with a guidebook, and they should try to understand that every child is their person and that they cannot direct their kids’ lives forever. One of the adverse effects it has had on me is that I have been unable to make my own decisions, even at my age. Most college students today cannot make their own decisions, even in old age (Ford, O’Driscoll, and MacDonald 60). If parents try to control every aspect of their kids’ lives, it can lead to severe problems such as depression and anxiety.
However, parents should be like a rock for their children. A rock is a substance that is very strong and unchanging. It is capable of weathering the storm and enduring the test of time. This means that parents should provide stability and strength for their children (Connell 23). They should also be there for their kids through every stage. For instance, they should guide their kids so they can avoid making bad decisions in their lives. Parents are experienced enough to know the best thing for their kids and the worst decisions that can affect them (Lythcott-Haims 3). The analogy of parents being a rock is perfect since it indicates the need for parents to be firm and unchanging for their children.
Parents should also participate in their children’s lives as it helps lay a foundation for better academic and social skills. A secure and robust relationship with their parents leads to healthy emotional, motivational, cognitive, and social development (Lahousen, Unterrainer, and Kapfhammer 914). According to Lythcott-Haims, parents’ intentions are more than sound, their love for their kids is very fierce, and all they want is the best for them (3). Most parents are willing to protect their kids from what might hurt them in the future, hence being overprotective. Therefore, parents should take part in their children’s lives to shield them from making any bad mistakes.
In conclusion, parents should act as a source of strength and stability for their children. They need to behave like a rock to their kids throughout their lives. They should purposefully be there for their kids through thick and thin. However, they should not be overinvolved in their lives as they should allow their kids to face challenges independently. This is because if parents control every aspect of their kids’ lives, it can cause serious problems such as depression.
Works Cited
Connell, Robert W., et al. Making the difference: Schools, families and social division. Routledge, 2020.
Ford, Suzanne, Mike O’Driscoll, and Anita MacDonald. “Living with Phenylketonuria: Lessons from the PKU community.” Molecular genetics and metabolism reports 17, 2018, pp. 57-63. Web.
Lahousen, Theresa, Human Friedrich Unterrainer, and Hans-Peter Kapfhammer. “Psychobiology of attachment and trauma—some general remarks from a clinical perspective.” Frontiers in Psychiatry 10, 2019, p. 914. Web.
Lythcott-Haims, Julie. “Kids of helicopter parents are sputtering out.” 2015.