by Todd Pheifer

Created on: November 26, 2008   Last Updated: December 03, 2008

Think about those times you have seen a helicopter in the sky. Sometimes they are flying on by and sometimes they are staying put in the sky. They are "hovering" over a specific spot, just watching the action and monitoring the situation. Helicopter parents are people who "hover" over their children, and may on occasion be accused of supervising their kid's lives beyond historically "normal" levels. Some of this is about the parenting styles of the modern day, and other aspects relate to the current generation of children. In either case, there is a much greater sense that helicopter parents will continue to fly along with their kids. They will fly along and they will carefully monitor the situation. Here are a few specifics on the evolution and manifestation of "helicopter" parents.

Generation Y

Children born from approximately 1980 to 2000 are categorized as "Generation Y" or the "Millennial" generation. These people are largely the offspring of the "Baby Boomers" (born approximately 1945 to 1960) and the Y generation has some unique characteristics. Of course, categorizing an entire generation is tantamount to stereotyping, but some sociological characterizations are acceptable in our society. Generation Y is regarded as a "sheltered" generation, as worried parents have attempted to protect them from the temptations of the world. In the 80's and 90's we developed the ultra-safe car seat, the required bike helmet, the home air filter, and restrictions on playing in the yard. Generation Y is also seen as a very "tech-savvy" generation with a high potential for success, but experts are unclear if they will live up to their potential. The helicopter parents intend to work hard at ensuring that the Y'ers reach that potential.

Age

The helicopter parent phenomenon is seen as "unhealthy" when it carries on late into the life of the child. Young children aren't capable of making mature or informed decisions about certain things and they need their parents to care for them. This much is certain. However, "helicoptering" occurs when the parent trails after their child well into his or her 20's and sometimes into his or her 30's. When a child needs to meet with their college adviser and the mother comes along, that is a helicopter experience. In many ways, the helicopter parent functions much like a spokesperson for their child in certain situations.

Arrangements and decisions

When children have helicopter parents, they may not make a lot of their own decisions. Studying

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