We all know how annoying parents can get, especially when they try to nag you about every little thing. In The Washington Post’s article, “New Study Gives Hovering College Students Extra Credit,” those nitpicky parents are actually praised. The article discusses the National Survey of Student Engagement. The NSSE collected data from over 24 colleges around the nation in which around 9,000 students had to answer questions about their parents engagement with their academic activities. According to the survey, students whose parents “helicopter” or “hover” over their activities actually engaged in ‘…frequent use of deep learning activities.’ These “deep learning activities” include TA office hours, writing exercises, and meetings with professors. According to Lynda Hitchcock, a career and college information coordinator at a high school said that most parents that intervene or take an interest in their children’s studies have an effect on their kid’s academic success. The “helicopter parenting” stereotype is usually negative. Most people think of hovering parenting as a nuisance and proof that the parent has issues letting their children grow as individuals. However, the NSSE has argued against the normal stereotype and put a positive spin on “helicopter parenting.”
This article can relate to each and every one of us. How much do your parents intervene in your studies? Do you need their help? Personally, I do not frequently rely on my parents for academic help, but when in a bind, their advice and guidance can be extremely helpful. How does “helicopter parenting” effect you?
3 comments:
The article on helicopter parenting is very true. A nagging parent always frustrates their children, but in the end it is only to help their kids. People need their time to grow and become the person they want, but without someone always over your shoulder watching, one bad move or choice could lead to later problems. A hovering parent cares about who their child becomes and they have the right to be a nuisance if they need to make sure their kids take the right path in life. My parents always made sure that I was aware of the choices I made, and that is what turned me into the person I am today.
I have to admit I am surprised that research has found that hovering parents have a positive impact despite the negative connotation. I also find it interesting that there has been a study done on this and especially at the college level. I feel that parents hover more during grammar school and high school because it is easier when their children are in their home and under their constant surveillance. I am very surprised to hear that many parents do this when their students enter college and that there is a noticeable impact. Personally my parents constantly reminded me to do my homework and were sure that it got done and it was done right. I feel they hovered, but it was necessary because without them I would not have good study habits and high expectations for myself. However, now that I have got in to a reputable college the nagging has decreased dramatically. While we still talk about school and I value their opinion, they assume that since I earned a spot at a good university that I can handle the work on my own. They prepared me with their nagging but now figure it is time for me to able that and figure it out.
This article was interesting to me because it talked about the positive aspect of a helicopter parent which used to always be seen as negative. On one hand a "helicopter parent" can be very anoying. They are constantly nagging their child and putting unneccessary pressure on them. It is almost as if they think that their child cannot do anything on their own, or nothing their child does is ever good enough. On the other hand it is evedent that a helicopter parent can benefit a child. They motivate their son or daughter to work hard. I have experienced this personally. I would say my parents where helicopter parents but not in a bad way. They motivated me to work hard and be the best person I could be. They taught me that if I try my hardest in everything I do I can be successful. In school, none of my teachers thought I was very smart but my parents "hovered" and told me to work hard and I will be rewarded. I did work very hard and got accepted to madison. If it wasn't for my parents "hovering" I don't know that I would have had the motivation to work as hard as I did and to believe in myself. So I agree that helicopter parents can be a good thing, if what they are "nagging" you about is for your own good.
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