Parenting is one of the most challenging phases of a couple’s life. With every generation, changes happen so fast that you really do not know what has to be done and how to cope up with the new demands of bringing up a child. Parenting is not just about the upbringing of a child or teaching them what is right or wrong.
It is not just about getting them educated and ensuring they are fit to handle their future. There is more to it than what meets the eye; so, the trends of parenting are also changing to blend the traditional methods and approach with a touch of the latest changes in how kids want their parents to be with them today for a better balance.
The changes of the trends in parenting
The days where children used to respond to harsh punishments and screams is slowly changing and is not being accepted by kids today. On one side, you have kids who know how they want to be treated and show it out very well in their behavior and way of talking. On the other hand, there are kids who are still under the wraps of their parents even though they may be grown up. The two extremes of parenting also reflect very prominently in various happenings and behavior that can be seen in society.
Helicopter parenting- what is this all about?
This is a terminology used for those parents who hover or watch over their children all the time. In this form of parenting, the father or mother or even both the parents get involved in the child’s life so much that they take control of everything that is happening in their child’s life.
These are parents who select their child/children’s friends or decide what activities they can get into. These parents are very demanding and do not let their child be independent for any reason. In short, they control the child’s life in every way.
The growing trend of Helicopter parenting in India
The trend of Helicopter parenting in India is again on the high. With the growing challenges and competition in the country, the future of every child is surrounded by a big question mark. There are parents who take over their child/children’s life to ensure that they are in a position to sustain the competition. In the bargain, they tend to forget that there is more to a child’s life.
While it is good that the parents are taking interest in their children’s future and studies; however, the necessary space that is needed to make them independent is going for a toss. The approach that is being used today results in a lot of physiological problems and issues which become a major concern over time.
Effects of Helicopter parenting on the development of the child
When we talk about the effects of Helicopter parenting, two main aspects need to be taken into consideration. They are:
- The behavior of the child becomes very prominent since these children are very submissive and lack confidence. Every time they do something, they have the fear of what their parents may think or say. These kids also start blaming themselves for everything that happens around them.
- The psychology of such children is very dangerous and concerning since they start getting depressive, anxious, less approachable, and suicidal, and also become obsessive. They do not trust anybody easily and also find it hard to express what they feel.
More than doing well for the child’s development, helicopter parenting actually damages the development of the child in every way. These children become victims due to the behavior and attitude of their parents. The reason this happens is because the child does not get the freedom to behave like a child. They are under pressure continuously because of the involvement of their parents in every aspect.
The future of such children is unknown
These children do not know what it means to fight their own battles, decide what is good for them, and understand the term freedom and independence. They tend to develop a very negative mind and often have problems in their relationships.
These children start shaking the minute they have to make a decision or take a stand for something that is right. They become very unsecured and are always unhappy with their surroundings. In India, it is a practice that is still going on in several homes. This often results in the development of questions like:
What is in store for children who are victims of helicopter parenting?
Will they ever come out of their parents’ shadows and start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel?