ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY HELICOPTER PARENTS 
The Sufferers of “Helicopter” Parenting
In ‘The Case for Breaking Up With Your Parents’ (The Chronicle Review, May 6, 2012) Prof. Castle adopts a clear position against “helicopter” parenting (a style of child rearing in which overprotective parents discourage a child's independence by being too involved in the child's life1). She states highly expanded parental engagement jeopardizes students’ intellectual and emotional freedom. To live a meaningful life, students have to break away from their parents. Castle’s point of view has been affirmed by several studies. And what is more, these studies have established harmful effects of intrusive parenting on not only students, but also the parents themselves, higher education and the job market.
Not only students’ intellectual and emotional freedom are at stake, but also their well-being and academic and professional skills. Research from the University of Mary Washington warns that an inappropriate level of parental control results in negative outcomes for students. They are more likely to have a depression or decreased satisfaction with life. The findings also suggested children of over-controlling parents feel less competent and less able to manage life and its stressors.2 Children of “helicopter” parents have never had the chance to make their own decisions, take risks and learn from mistakes, consequently they lack ability to problem-solve and fend for themselves. All of the above are skills students need in higher education, their further career and in fact for the rest of their lives.3
Parents should also stop hovering over their children because of their own well-being. A study by the Society of Research in Child Development has shown “helicopter” parents report similar problems as their children. “It’s not just children feeling anxious effects,” states George Mason University provost Peter Stearns, “parental anxiety has increased over the past 20 years due to over-involvement.” “Helicopter” parents reported
In ‘The Case for Breaking Up With Your Parents’ (The Chronicle Review, May 6, 2012) Prof. Castle adopts a clear position against “helicopter” parenting (a style of child rearing in which overprotective parents discourage a child's independence by being too involved in the child's life1). She states highly expanded parental engagement jeopardizes students’ intellectual and emotional freedom. To live a meaningful life, students have to break away from their parents. Castle’s point of view has been affirmed by several studies. And what is more, these studies have established harmful effects of intrusive parenting on not only students, but also the parents themselves, higher education and the job market.
Not only students’ intellectual and emotional freedom are at stake, but also their well-being and academic and professional skills. Research from the University of Mary Washington warns that an inappropriate level of parental control results in negative outcomes for students. They are more likely to have a depression or decreased satisfaction with life. The findings also suggested children of over-controlling parents feel less competent and less able to manage life and its stressors.2 Children of “helicopter” parents have never had the chance to make their own decisions, take risks and learn from mistakes, consequently they lack ability to problem-solve and fend for themselves. All of the above are skills students need in higher education, their further career and in fact for the rest of their lives.3
Parents should also stop hovering over their children because of their own well-being. A study by the Society of Research in Child Development has shown “helicopter” parents report similar problems as their children. “It’s not just children feeling anxious effects,” states George Mason University provost Peter Stearns, “parental anxiety has increased over the past 20 years due to over-involvement.” “Helicopter” parents reported