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 history and other cultures does show that humanity has a long history of parental decisions that do not include their children's opinion. Some cultures still include parents that select marriage partners, careers, and living locations. However, in western society we put an emphasis on personal freedom, so when parents continue to make decisions for their children, there is some collective concern from society. Decisions can include things like education, career, wardrobe, friends, schedules, and environment. In addition, parents have the ability to "monitor" their children to a much greater degree, thanks to the advent of digital technology. Specifically, the cellular phone allows the parent to have an extremely long tether to their otherwise independent child. Again, protection is usually seen as positive but some question whether parents are letting their children grow, mature, and earn trust.
Are parents who want to protect their children misled? Perhaps not, but the relevant question is "how far is too far?" Does the parent making dental appointments for their 29-year-old son represent a healthy situation? What about the parent who demands that the 25-year-old daughter tell them when she will be home? Again, some of these situations are warranted based upon the maturity of the child, but in some cases you hear the rotor blades of the helicopter parent. In some families, the helicopter is always warmed up on the pad and ready to go at a moments notice.