An estimated 40 percent to 60 percent of college parents qualify as helicopter parents, and they come from all socioeconomic groups, based on a thought-provoking study of 75 officials, professors and staff at 15 universities. The study, which is drawing attention on campuses, moves the helicopter-parent debate onto new ground by identifying types of parental hovercraft, ranging from benign to pathological. The Blackhawk Parent: Among the most damaging types, this parent “comes in with guns blazing,” demanding action, says Patricia Somers, an associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin, and lead author on the study. One problem, says Jim Settle, vice president, student affairs, at Shawnee State University, Portsmouth, Ohio, and a co-author, is that “they start at the president’s office, regardless of the issue.” Blackhawk parents set bad problem-solving examples and hamper their children’s independence.
Wall Street Journal
Taking a Closer Look at Helicopter Parenting
(Sept. 27)
