Some CC parents may be BLACK HAWKS not just helicopter parents!

[Motherdear]

<p>Saw this link:</p>

<p>

Helicopter parent
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A helicopter parent is a term for a person who pays extremely close attention to their child or children, particularly at educational institutions. They rush to prevent any harm from befalling them or letting them learn from their own mistakes, sometimes even contrary to the children’s wishes. They are so named because, like a helicopter, they hover closely overhead, rarely out of reach whether their children need them or not.</p>

<p>An extension of the term, Black Hawks (for the combat helicopter of the same name), has been coined for those who cross the line from a mere excess of zeal to unethical behavior such as writing their children’s college admission essays.</p>

<p>Contents [hide]
1 Origins
2 Explanations
3 Beyond college
4 Historical precedent
5 References
6 Further reading
7 External links </p>

<p>[edit]
Origins
The term “helicopter parents” is a pejorative expression for parents that has been widely used in the media; however, there has been little academic research into the phenomenon. Although the term seems to have originated and been in use among schoolteachers as far back as 1991, it only gained wide currency when American college administrators began using it in the early 2000s as the Millennial Generation began reaching college age. Their late-wave baby-boomer parents in turn earned notoriety for practices such as calling their children each morning to wake them up for class and complaining to their professors about grades the children had received. Some of these parents had, in fact, chosen the child’s college, and hired consultants to help fine-tune the application process.</p>

<p>Today some parents of students in the primary and secondary grades have attempted to neutralize the term by openly referring to themselves as helicopter parents and wearing t-shirts sporting the logo “helicopter parents.”</p>

<p>[edit]
Explanations
The rise of the cell phone is often blamed for the explosion of helicopter parenting — it has been called “the world’s longest umbilical cord”[1]. Parents, for their part, point to rising college tuitions, saying they are just protecting their investment or acting like any other consumer. Newer federal laws, such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), have also recognized the importance of family in the educational process.</p>

<p>The changing nature of college in the United States may also play a role as well. Higher education is no longer the luxury it once was.</p>

<p>It is now a requirement for many jobs, particularly professional or white-collar positions, and has become available to a greater portion of the population.
The tuition cost of higher education has more than doubled since 1967, even factoring in inflation.
A greater portion of students live at home either during college or afterwards.
The drinking age has not only been raised to 21 in every state but enforced vigorously in many of them.
A bachelor’s degree isn’t sufficient qualification for a growing number of careers, either.
Thus, for some, college in America is no longer seen as the gateway to adulthood and more as an extension of high school.</p>

<p>Some parents have formed an organization, College Parents of America, to lobby for their interests.</p>

<p>[edit]
Beyond college
As these students graduate and move on to the job market, personnel and human resources departments are becoming acquainted with the phenomenon as well. Some have reported that parents have begun intruding on salary negotiations, and in one case showing up for a job interview on a child’s behalf[2].</p>

<p>[edit]
Historical precedent
While the phenomenon may seem new, it is in fact not. When Douglas MacArthur began his studies at West Point in 1898, his mother moved to be right outside the academy’s gates and kept a close eye on her son.

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<p>The end is a bit wrong. Cadet MacArthur’s mom moved ONTO post into the old hotel (pre-Hotel Thayer) near Trophy Point and apparently could see his barracks room window from her window.</p>

[marite]

<p>I wish that Douglas MacArthur’s mom was not trotted out all the time as the prototype of the helicopter parent. The rejoinder to that is that Gen. MacArthur did not do badly after West Point, did he? Or is anyone claiming that he went against Truman’s orders out of some Freudian compulsion?</p>

<p>As for CC parents being black hawks, are (screen)names attached to this claim?</p>

[coureur]

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<blockquote>
<p>The rejoinder to that is that Gen. MacArthur did not do badly after West Point, did he?<<</p>
</blockquote>

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<p>He didn’t do too badly while in West Point either, graduating first in his class.</p>

[garland]

<p>One of my great-whatever grandmothers moved to New Haven to be near her son at school…but i dunno, they didn’t even have helicopters then…</p>

<p>Marite, I’d also like to know who’s on the accused list.</p>

[alwaysamom]

<p>Wow, I thought maybe a couple of the dads here were hockey players when I saw the subject line of this thread. ;)</p>

<p>All kidding aside, I’ve learned over the years with parenting my 4 Ds, that no matter what ANY of us do as parents, there will always be someone out there who thinks what we’re doing is wrong.</p>

[TutuTaxi]

<p>I suppose parents are to become “gliders”. Quietly swoop down, give them your child plus $30+K/year and quietly get the h*ll out. :rolleyes:</p>

[jmmom]

<p>Good one, tutu.</p>

[Motherdear]

<p>I’m not accusing anyone. I thought the term Black Hawks was amusing and thought others would also. Clearly I was wrong. So sorry!:)</p>

[Sweetny007]

<p>I found it amusing :P</p>

<p>“I suppose parents are to become “gliders”. Quietly swoop down, give them your child plus $30+K/year and quietly get the h*ll out.”</p>

<p>I think there is a gigantic gap between doing that and being a “black hawk” LOL. Everything in moderation :)</p>

[maineparent]

<p>the correct term around our house would be “stealth” parent vs helicopter or black hawk!! based on how much visibility/appreciation our efforts seem to generate!! ha ha… only with time will our energy/focus be understood and appreciated, ie enough time for another generation??</p>

[garland]

<p>MD–the term certainly is amusing. I guess the thread title seemed to suggest some other point you weren’t actually making.</p>