The “helicopter parents” phenomenon, defined as an overprotective parenting style, was the topic of an interview with researcher Teresa Freire for Notícias Magazine. This behavior, which goes from choosing the university degree to the interference in job interviews, hampers the autonomy of young people and the development of basic skills, such as resilience and decision-making.
Teresa Freire warns that this parenting style creates insecure adults who lack initiative and are unable to face the challenges of adult life. “We are creating young people that expect others to do everything for them”.
The interview discloses some data: 70% of young people resort to their parents to search for a job, and 16% admit that their parents have already submitted applications on their behalf. Also, in the universities it is frequent to have parents interfering in enrolment or questioning teachers.
Although factors such as extended financial dependence and challenges of the labor market should be considered, the CIPsi researcher underlined the importance of balancing parental support with the promotion of autonomy and independence. “Preparing young people for the challenges of adult life must be a priority”, she concludes.
Full interview:
https://www.noticiasmagazine.pt/2024/pais-helicoptero-sempre-a-sobrevoar-num-controlo-permanente/historias/304385/