It is natural for parents to want the very best for their children. They make sure their kids have brushed their teeth, feed them healthy foods, and check to make sure that their homework is done. All of this is done because of love. That being said, there is a point where things become too much. It turns out that helicopter parenting can actually harm a child’s future prospects.
What is a “helicopter parent”? Parents Magazine says that the term originated in 1969 in a book called Parents & Teenagers written by Dr. Haim Ginott. Some of the teens he spoke with said their parents would “hover over them like a helicopter.”
In general, the term refers to parents who are helping their children beyond the point where it is good for them. The parents intervene on their child’s behalf in order to protect them from negative outcomes and also to ensure success. Ironically, too much of that behavior actually results in an adult offspring’s inability to be self sufficient.
A study was done by two Fresno State Craig School of Business professors. Professors Jill Bradley-Geist and Julie B. Olsen-Buchanan created a survey for students to complete.
The study found that students who had “overly involved” parents failed to develop important business skills. It is easy to see how a lack of vital skills could prevent a person from obtaining a job in business. What specific kinds of skills were adult children of helicopter parents lacking in?
College students who have helicopter parents tend to lack conflict-resolution skills. When a conflict arose between the child and his or her teacher, the parent always stepped in and resolved it for them. The parents may have stepped in and resolved conflicts with peers as well.
Failing to resolve a conflict with a co-worker can result in an eventual job termination. Bosses don’t want to step in and walk their adult workers through a conflict that they are expected to handle on their own.
College students who have helicopter parents tend to have problems completing projects. This is especially true with projects that are difficult. Students who had helicopter parents, and who took the survey, said they would just have their parent call into work for them the day an incomplete project was due. Or, they would actually have their parent complete the project for them.
When these kids grow up, they lack the ability to push themselves through the completion of difficult projects. Every employer will expect workers to finish projects. Not every project will be simple to solve. Failure to complete projects can result in job termination.
In short, helicopter parents mean well. Unfortunately, the extra help is resulting in adult offspring that lack the skills that every employer will expect them to have in the workplace.
Image by Davidd on Flickr.
Related Articles:
* Are You a Helicopter Parent?
* Embrace Your Inner Helicopter
* Helicopter Parents: Are They Going Too Far