Overparenting: meaning, definitions and examples
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overparenting
[ oʊvərˈpɛrɛntɪŋ ]
parenting styles
Overparenting refers to a style of parenting characterized by excessive control, involvement, and oversight of a child's life. This approach is often marked by a parent's overreaction to their child's failures or challenges, leading to a lack of independence in the child. The behavior can result in a child who feels unprepared to face real-life situations and who may struggle with self-esteem and resilience.
Synonyms
helicopter parenting, overinvolvement, overprotection.
Examples of usage
- His overparenting led her to rely on him for every decision.
- Many children suffer from anxiety due to overparenting.
- Studies show that overparenting can hinder a child's emotional growth.
- She recognized her overparenting tendencies and sought to give her kids more freedom.
Etymology
The term 'overparenting' is a modern concept that began to gain traction in the late 20th century as societal views on parenting evolved. The word combines 'over', meaning excessively or more than necessary, with 'parenting', derived from 'parent', which has roots in Middle English and Old French. This rise in awareness about parenting styles was influenced by changing familial structures and increasing concerns over children's welfare. In the context of psychological studies, overparenting often overlaps with the notion of 'helicopter parenting', which describes parents who hover over their children. Research has shown that while parents' intentions are often to protect and prepare their children for success, overparenting can inadvertently lead to negative outcomes, including lack of autonomy and difficulties in coping with failure. As discussions about mental health and child development have become more prominent in public discourse, the concept of overparenting continues to be explored in academic research and parenting advice literature.