NYtimes ran an article about “helicopter parents” and how much those type of parents did to coddle their children. Unfortunately, the conclusion was extremely clear, children raised with hyper focused protective parents succeeded far beyond their peers. It works.
Interestingly, by major, CS students are given the most financial assistance from their parents. I think there can be a naive suggestion that having parents willing to pay your SF rent and take care of details like who does your laundry allows for hyper focused work on complex, abstract problems. The idea of “not coddling” your children may be doing more harm than good in a economy which requires specialized work.
Alternatively, parents that can helicopter (let's make it a verb and an adjective, as well as a noun?) are likely parents from affluent backgrounds. Perhaps they have the resources in time, money, connections and location to be able to allow their children to be hyper focused.
Either by permitting their children to be entirely focused on studies, careers or both. At this point however we're not talking about helicopter parents, we're talking about privilege.
> the conclusion was extremely clear, children raised with hyper focused protective parents succeeded
By what metrics? An Ivy League student who requires their parents to intercede with their teachers versus a well adjusted state school student who takes care of themselves.
Depends on the definition of success. Yeah, by most measures I guess more money, prestige, and recognition is success. But I can’t take that hot house flower on a weekend backpacking trip. I mean, you’re right; I guess maybe I’m justifying my own lack of “success”. :-)
Interestingly, by major, CS students are given the most financial assistance from their parents. I think there can be a naive suggestion that having parents willing to pay your SF rent and take care of details like who does your laundry allows for hyper focused work on complex, abstract problems. The idea of “not coddling” your children may be doing more harm than good in a economy which requires specialized work.