Helicopter Parenting: Why Is This Parenting Style Discouraged?

Parenting can both be a challenging and exciting responsibility, most especially for new parents. Being overly protective may come in naturally for most, but there are those who fall into the trap of helicopter parenting which can actually do more harm than good.

Helicopter parenting is said to do more harm than good, as the child may tend to grow up purely depended with the lack of confidence to do things on his/her own. Helicopter parents would often resolve the issue for the child. From homework to school plays, from social functions to making friends, a helicopter parent is always there to help.

Our Everyday Life explained that helicopter parenting negatively impacts the growth of the child as they tend to lack independence and assertiveness when they'd grow up. Helicopter parents always make sure that they would pick up the pieces for their child, not giving them the independence to do things on their own. The parents' interference on the children's daily activities prohibits the child's capability and right to explore and develop their independence.

Psychology Today then explained the possible effects of helicopter parenting where it was mentioned that it can build-up anxiety towards the child. It was then added that the child could possibly develop depression as they'd have low levels of satisfaction.

"Helicoptering was found to correlate with higher levels of anxiety and depression and decreased life satisfaction as well as lower levels of perceived autonomy, competence, and ability to get along with others," a mentioned in a research reported by Psychology Today.

PT explained that helicopter parents may be able to produce children that are prim, proper and fully dedicated to their studies, but their educational advantage may come with a downside. It was mentioned that these children may be a head start academically, but they may have a hard time in adjusting to life in general as they grew up overly protected and dependent.