"By shielding children from manageable challenges, well-meaning parents deprive them of the very experiences they need to build competence, confidence, and emotional resilience."
"For more than 95% of our species' evolutionary history, children grew up with a degree of independence that would alarm any modern parent."
"Through free play and independent exploration, children naturally dose themselves with manageable amounts of fear: climbing, jumping, and navigating risks."
Children naturally engage in play and exploration, which helps them manage fear and build resilience. Intensive parenting, or helicopter parenting, prevents children from facing manageable challenges, leading to increased anxiety and depression. Historically, children had more independence and navigated risks with minimal adult supervision. This lack of exposure to challenges deprives children of essential experiences that foster confidence and emotional strength, suggesting that modern parenting practices may be counterproductive to healthy development.
Read at Psychology Today
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