In part one of this series, an article was introduced that shared insight on some of the struggles that the rising generations of kids are facing.  Changes in policies and expected parenting practices have begun to limit kids’ opportunities to develop resilience and problem solving skills, robbing them of the vital skills one needs to thrive as an adult. The authors of the article delved into some of the current research on the topic.

Our tendency to encourage kids to seek out authority figures to manage disputes or help them when in trouble has translated into kids being more and more dependent on others to solve problems for them.  They have fewer opportunities to problem-solve on their own, and so they fail to develop the resiliency that comes from trying repeatedly and failing until finding a workable solution. They also may miss the chance to think outside the box and fostering their creativity overall, particularly in problem-solving.

This is not just a result of parenting.  The structures in which we raise children have changed; many laws and guidelines that were developed with the intention of protecting children and families may now actually discourage parents from allowing their kids to have unsupervised time, and develop these necessary skills.

The article states: “It’s tempting to blame “helicopter parents” for today’s less resilient kids. But when all the first-graders are walking themselves to school, it’s easy to add yours to the mix. When your child is the only one, it’s harder. And that’s where we are today. Norms have dramatically changed. The kind of freedom that seemed unremarkable a generation ago has become taboo, and in some cases even illegal.”

Many parents fear being cited as neglectful and even facing imprisonment, even if they strive to offer their children arenas in which to build independence and responsibility. They may face significant pressure from other parents, teachers, and law enforcement to be more protective than they would choose to be.

Be sure to check back on the blog for Part 3 and a conclusion of our discussion!

Molly Halbrooks, LMFT

mhalbrooks@growcounseling.com