Helicoptering: Starting the Unwanted Butterfly Effect

The article “Inside the Teen Brain’ by Marty Wolner, states that the human brain provides parents with shocking new evidence to possibly explain the sometimes irrational, illogical, and impulsive behavior of teenagers. Teenage years are radically more active and dynamic than they previously thought. So teenagers are left with most of the information reaching their brains being processed in the emotional part (limbic system). Information processed in the limbic system without benefit increases the processing in the prefrontal cortex. It may result in impulsive, egocentric, and maybe even risky behavior choices. The prefrontal cortex of the teenage brain does not excuse inappropriate or irresponsible behavior from the teen. The brain is not yet

A teenagers risk taking is a crucial part of their brains development and can significantly benefit their growth as a person. Recent test have shown that in social situations, teenagers are more likely to take risks. In the article, Beautiful Brains, the author, David Dobbs, discussed a study in which teenagers played a game alone, then with people in the room. “When teens drive the course alone, in what Steinberg calls the emotionally ‘cool’ situation of an empty room, they take risks at the same rates that adults do.” (Pbs.org) This shows that teenagers are capable of making good decisions and taking the same amount of risks as a developed adult. So many parents assume that they take unnecessary risk, when really, the teenager knows exactly

Helicopter parents often send the unintentional message to their child saying that they are incompetent of doing things on their own - like the things they attempt to accomplish independently are wrong. Instead of letting their children experience a sense of autonomy by allowing them to accomplish things on their own, an overprotective parent would step in and take control; again promoting dependency. A lot of times, such dependency carries on into adulthood (Sade 1). Instead of being a mature, responsible adult and taking things into their own hands; they call on their parents whenever things get strenuous in their lives. Likewise, adults who still depend on their parents for everything do not mature mentally and sometimes do not have the skills needed to become successful on their own.

Teenager’s brains are not completely developed like adults’ are. There are many physical differences between adolescents and adults, but the biggest and perhaps most important contrast is the maturity of their brains. The prefrontal cortex which controls aggression, long planning, abstract thinking, and mental flexibility has not completely developed in children yet (Knox). The prefrontal cortex is a very important decision making tool and is necessary for day to day things as well as huge, life changing decisions and actions. It is clear to see that adults and adolescents act and behave very

As we all know mother does know best, yet in some cases mother can do more harm than good. There is a big debate on how people are raising the newest generations and whether or not they are properly being introduced into the realities of our society. Are children being spoiled too much or not enough? This topic is thoroughly discussed by Alfie Kohn in his essay, “ The One-sided Culture War against Children” and by Nick Gillespie within his essay, “The Current State of Childhood: Is “Helicopter Parenting” or “Free-Range Childhood” Better for Kids?”. Although Kohn offers valid explanations, Gillespie does surpass Kohn’s explanations; parents need to be less overbearing and stop pampering their children.

relationship between the child and parent. When children are under the pressure of strict rules, they

The over involvement of parents can make the child develop psychological issues. They are shown to have a higher risk of depression, anxiety, lack self-confidence, and have low self-esteem (“Helicopter Parents” Stir Up Anxiety, Depression). It is shown that no matter what parenting technique is being used, every parents goal is to build their child’s self-esteem (Rutherford). Sadly, helicopter parenting does the exact opposite. Equally important, the persons lack of self- confidence comes from the over involvement of their parents in his/her childhood activities and academics. They never experienced failure or loss because the parents were always there to step in, so they never achieved anything to build their confidence (“Helicopter Parents” Stir Up Anxiety, Depression). It is common for a child with helicopter parents to develop depression when moving from their home to

From infancy to adult, people are making decisions all day long. How long to study for the upcoming test? What sport to play? What college to attend? As choices are made, often goals are set to ensure maximum potential is achieved. This process of decision-making and goal setting is overbearing shadowed by the authoritarian style of parenting.

Most parents see their children as the apples of their eyes and would do anything to protect them. There is no limit to what these parents would do to keep their children safe. To them, there is no such thing as being too cautious or overprotective, but, maybe, they are the ones really damaging the kids. It is said that the children who have overprotective parents are the ones to watch. Those parents who are being so overwhelmingly protective can push the children to do exactly what they are trying to prevent them from doing. These parents indirectly affect the children’s lives. Overprotective parents are mostly the ones whose children become the sneakiest and whose children are the most troubled because they do not feel comfortable with discussing things with their parents, because the children have to sneak around to do what they want, and because they are always trying to control everything the children do. Thus, overprotective parents hinder children’s emotional and mental growth.

The article “Inside the Teenage Brain” by Marty Wolner states that recently, brain researchers have been able to do a great quantity of detailed studies on the human brain. Despite previous thoughts about the teenage brain, development of the brain through the teenage years is very dynamic. The teenage brain is still learning how to process certain information properly in the thinking part of the brain, so often teens may not process all the information necessary to make responsible decisions. Nevertheless, the teenage years can be very stressful for both parents and for teens. Getting through the teenage years can be difficult, but with the right amount of healthy communication, discipline and support the road ahead won’t be so rough. At this

Researchers have found the connection between emotional development and cognitive control system in the brain is a result of underdevelopment of the adolescent brain. According to Bessant (2008), immature adolescent brain may be responsible for much of the risky behavior that young people engage in, with little or no thought prior to making decisions. Presenting Issues Hunter is 14 years old, and now a freshman in high school. Hunter’s social group in school with his peers is very small. Carol, his mother is quite concerned because hunter is not completing his homework assignments, skipping classes, and his grades are dropping.

With countless people dying, climbing, each year, should these people be saved, even if it means others might die? By helicopter, is the main method these climbers are saved. These rescues are escalating in number each year. Although this method is very expensive, it also very efficient. Less attentive to the dangers, some of the climbers do drastic things because they know that rescue services are just one phone call away. Then, there are climbers who make an endeavor to push that thought to the back of their mind. But some people debate whether it still does have an impact on their decisions. Even if they put others in danger, all of these climbers have the right to be saved because the rangers are capable of saving them and the services are skilled enough.

The paper helicopter has no motor and a motor makes a helicopter fly since the paper helicopter has no motor they only have one source of lift. When the paper helicopter is falling it spins imitating a real helicopter. Because there is nothing producing an upward movement the helicopter will fall slowly instead of flying up. The helicopter with shorter wings falls faster because of air resistance, because there is more surface area on the longer wings it is less air resistance. The Myth Busters website said,’ The more surface area an object has, the more air resistance it will

Most parents take an interest in their child’s life from birth until they become an adult by picking and choosing what is best for them as much as they possibly can. Parents want to help their children to be as perfect as they can make them. Typically hovering parents spend a lot of money, time, and effort filling schedules things like with dance classes, baseball, and tutoring in order to have a ‘perfect’ child. As well as coming to their aid when they are in need, or their defense when they are in trouble. Help in making important, life changing decisions, like where to go to college at, or which career to pursue. When does helping become hovering? The generation of “Helicopter Parents” is becoming more and more prevalent in families. A

These variables displayed the researchers’’ cause and effect relationship between the two scenarios. The first cause was helicopter parenting and the effect was high stress levels and anxiety, depression, and life dissatisfaction. For instance, the child who had experienced helicopter parents were more likely to be on anti- depressant medication or anxiety medication compared to a child who had not experienced the effects of a helicopter parent. Their second cause and effect relationship scenario was displayed with the correlation between autonomy and well- being and increased life satisfaction in contrast to children who suffered at the hands of helicopter parents. A child who had experienced more of autonomy compared to helicoptering tended to display better behavior in a class room and less signs for depression and low life