Parental Involvement in Education: Helicopter Parents

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Parents and teachers both hold that responsibility to teach and guide children into the right direction. When discussing parental involvement, it seems almost natural that a parent would want to be involved in their child’s education. There are so many factors of why parents are not involved. Despite the recent backlash against so-called “helicopter parents”, parental involvement in school is necessary for student success.
Research has clearly established that it is more beneficial for children to have parents that are involved in their education and activities. (Mikulecky, 1996).The media has negatively portrayed parents who seem to be over-involved. “Helicopter parent” has been the phrase used to describe over-involved parents. Parental interest and support in the education system is considered positive. But in recent years, highly-involved parents have been portrayed in the popular media as helicopter parents.A helicopter parent is a parent who pays extremely close attention to their children’s experiences and problems, particularly at educational institutions. Children that have helicopter parents often feel less independent and competent. These feelings were associated with higher depressive symptoms and decreased life satisfaction. (Schiffin, & Miriam , 2013). Parents want their children to be successful, so they do the utmost to make sure of that. Parents may look at their child and fear that they are falling behind. They do not give them room to make mistakes and grow from them. Helicopter parents are accused of being obsessed with their children’s well-being and education. A survey by researcher Neil Montgomery was given to college freshmen about helicopter parents. The term was originally coined by college admissions...

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...eir children's first teacher and the only teacher that remains with a child for a long period of time. Educators have to begin to appreciate when they see parents working with children that, that parent truly want the best for their children. Educators need to let parents know that they are equally as important as the school. They have to let students know how important their homes and communities are to having a successful outcome in school. When schools have a partnership which allows educators to have a source of cultural knowledge and personal experiences there will be a better outcome. By schools and administrators accepting and embracing more helicopter parents there would be less kids failing and dropping out of school. Helicopter parents would assist with teachers to help make sure that more kids are graduating from school and becoming successful adults.

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