Helicopter Parenting & the Millennial Generation
by Bill Lizor

It is "back-to-school" season, which means college campuses are being flooded with students and parents preparing for college. It is a pretty traditional scene — the car pulls up to the side entrance of the dorm; and a flood of boxes, suitcases, and the occasional novelty item comes spilling out. Quicker than anyone imagined, the unpacking is done, little Junior has gotten his campus tour, and it is time for parents to jump back in the car and start their trek home. But what happens now?

According to many college administrators, while the car may be heading "home," many parents (called "helicopter parents") are mentally staying at school with their children. Administrators are noticing a large increase of parents being involved in the day-to-day business of their children's college experience. Colleges are receiving an increase in everything from parent e-mails and calls to the administration over bad roommates to parents choosing their children's classes and majors.

Although the research isn't conclusive about this new phenomenon, let's take a look at the ups and downs of the emerging trend of "helicopter parenting":

The "Ups"	The "Downs"
Parent-child connections are becoming stronger than in past generations.	Students are often lacking basic negotiation, conflict resolution, survival, and coping skills.
Parent-child "camaraderie" is on the rise – leading to children being more likely to call their parents if something is wrong, share more openly with their parents, and ask more for guidance.	Students tend not to develop the self-reliance and "search for freedom" mentality that is typical of this developmental period.
Parents are seeking to improve security issues and job market stability. They are trying to provide a better future for their children.	Research indicates that too much parent involvement could hinder a child's development of healthy relationships in the future.

Here are some more articles about "helicopter parenting" to check out:

From the news:

• No Escape from "Helicopter Parents"

A College Responds:

• An Article for Parents by Scott Chesney