By Leah Peloff ’18

Helicopter parenting, or parents paying extremely close attention to a child’s experiences and problems, derives from good intentions. It almost always, however, leads to detrimental, lifelong side effects that can seriously harm children as they grow into adulthood. For example, children whose parents have hovered over them have been proven more likely to feel sad, lonely, anxious, depressed, and overwhelmed by responsibilities. In 2010, a college professor surveyed 300 college students and found that young-adults with helicopter parents were less open to new ideas, and more vulnerable and self-conscious.

Despite the countless surveys proving the invalidity of holding such tight reigns on children, many parents still think it best to micro-manage every step their child makes. In fact, the number of children being helicoptered by their parents has been increasing in the past twenty years. This is leading towards numerous struggles as the millennials grow up and go off to college. If parents truly take the time to think about it, they will realize that taking a step back and allowing their kids some independence will be a great advantage in the long run.