Helicopter Parenting

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There are a number of factors that attribute to the risk of being a helicopter parent including cultural background, parenting style and socio-economic status (Segrin et al.,2013a; LeMoyne & Buchanan, 2011; see Table 2).

Table 2

Risk factors attributed to helicopter parenting

Predisposing

Parent

Child

Cultural background

Anxiety & Regret

Enmeshment within home environment

Socio economic status

Parenting style

Disability

Gender

Projection

Overly dependant

Low self-worth

Parents who possess a clear expectation of their child, dismiss negotiating or reasoning and have a high importance of structure are referred to as Authoritarian parents and are at risk of being a helicopter parent (LeMoyne & Buchanan, 2011). Their approach is very heavy-handed, controlling, and asserts a sense of power towards the child that pertain to reinforcing hard work in reaching the parental goals set (Lagace-Seguin & DeLeavey, 2011; LeMoyne & Buchanan, 2011).Authoritarian parents may focus on guidance and neglect the independence of the child to make a decision on their own. This may be due to parental anxiety which is non-productive, as anxiety related behaviours including hyper vigilance and over scheduling restrict children from experience and the present absence for development (Muncih & Munich, 2009; Marano, 2009; Lagace-Sequin & DeLeavey, 2011; Segrin et al., 2012).

Parents who experience anxiety and regret are also at risk of over parenting as the opportunity for self-actualisation becomes apparent and the need for fulfilment of these missed opportunities are projected onto the child (Segrin et al., 2013b). This may be associated to socio economic status in relation to the upbringing and development of the parent whose compulsion is to then provide considerable amounts of care and opportunity to the child (Segrin et al., 2013b; LeMoyne & Buchanan, 2011).

What are the implications of the research?

The expectations and implications of helicopter parenting present challenges both psychologically and academically for children. The possible implications of helicopter parenting affect the self efficacy of the child or young adult and obstruct learning outcomes, job prospects and mental health. Helicopter parenting encourages dependence and is a factor in the diminished decision making and coping skills of students. The impact of risks relating to helicopter parenting has resulted in children having difficulty forming peer relationships, completing tasks on their own without the need for support and entitlement. Furthermore, the over involvement of the parent has seen an increase in unnecessary behaviour from the parent to social and work areas where the child should be autonomous (Shiffrin et al., 2013).Whilst some of the research shows that involvement in a child’s life is advantageous, parental over involved by way of monitoring, directing and solving problems for the child, hinder their developmental outcomes.

Considerations for Policy

Although discipline is essential in raising a child, emotional and physical love is paramount. Recommendations for authoritarian parents could include understanding the benefits of balance in the child’s life and the need to connect to their social circles and interests outside of academia. This could be done by educating parents at follow up midwifery appointments and could include information on the different parenting styles and their outcomes. It could point out information regarding bending the rules and being adaptable to a child’s needs which would promote respect without enforcing it. Furthermore, informing parents about the benefits of open conversation with the child throughout their development will help encourage warmth and affection.

Recommendations for parents who project onto their child with anxiety and regret could include indentifying those behaviours prior to them becoming maladaptive and harmful. This could be identified pre and post-natal and engage the parent through therapy sessions to help identify areas in which they feel they have a sense of missed opportunity. This could help by discovering activities and creative outlets that the parent could participate in and feel a greater sense of accomplishment and self worth compared to projecting onto their child.

REFERENCES

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2012).Self-Determination Theory. In P. A. M. Van Lange, A. W. Kruglaski, and E. T. Higgins (Ed.),The handbook of theories of social psychology (pp. 419-437). London: Sage.

Gibbs, N. (2009). The growing backlash against overparenting. Time Magazine. Retrieved from http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1940697,00.html.

Ingen, D. J., Freiheit, S. R., Steinfeldt, J. A, Moore, L. L., Wimer, D. J., Knutt, A.D, Scapinello, S. & Roberts, A. (2015). Helicopter parenting: the effect of an overbearing caregiving style on peer attachment and self-efficacy. Journal of College Counseling, 18, 7-20.

Lagace-Seguin, D. G., & DeLeavey, A. E. (2011) Memories of adolecense: can perceptions of social supports be predicted from Baumrind’s traditional parenting typologies?. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 16(3), 245-264. Doi:10.1080/02673843.2011.9748059

LeMoyne, T., & Buchanan, T. (2011). Does hovering matter? Helicopter parenting and its effects on well-being. Sociological Spectrum, 31(4), 399-418.

Marano, H. E. (2009). A nation of wimps. Journal of Sport Administration & Supervision, 1(1), 96-99

Marriner, C. (2013, January 20). Time to cut the cord. The Herald Sun. Retrieved from http://www.smh.com.au/national/time-to-cut-the-cord-20130119-2d00u.html

Munich, R.L., Munich, M. A. (2009). Overparenting and the narcissistic pursuit of attachment, Psychiatric Annals, 39(4), 227-235.

Schiffrin, H. H., Godfrey, H., Liss, M., & Erchull, M. J. (2014). Intensive parenting: does it have the desired impact