Discussion 6 Assignment: The Current State Of Childhood

Discussion 6 Assignmentthe Current State Of Childhood Pages 441 4

Discussion #6 (assignment) The Current State of Childhood pages 441 – 448 After reading the essays in chapter 16, which do you believe is better for children: "Helicopter parenting" of Free-range childhood" ? Write at least one developed paragraph for your response. Use specific evidence, including at least one short direct quote from the various essays to support your developed original posting. If you do not have a textbook, here are links to the articles found in the chapter: “Millennials Are Selfish and Entitled, and Helicopter Parents Are to Blame” by Nick Gillespie and “The One-Sided Culture War Against Children” by Alfie Kohn.

Paper For Above instruction

The debate over the optimal approach to parenting—whether helicopter parenting or encouraging free-range childhood—entails significant implications for the development of children. Helicopter parenting, characterized by over-involvement and excessive control, can hinder children’s ability to develop independence, resilience, and problem-solving skills. Nick Gillespie criticizes this style, asserting that “helicopter parents,” by intervening excessively, inhibit children’s capacity to confront real-world challenges and learn from failure. Conversely, advocates of free-range childhood emphasize the importance of autonomy, exploration, and responsibility in nurturing confident and adaptable individuals. Alfie Kohn highlights that a “culture war against children” often promotes overly protective environments, ignoring the necessity for children to experience risk and consequences firsthand. Evidence from both essays suggests that fostering a balanced approach—allowing children to explore within safe boundaries—best supports their emotional and social development. Consequently, while parental guidance is vital, enabling children to experience independence is crucial in preparing them for the complexities of adult life.

References

  • Gillespie, Nick. (2018). Millennials Are Selfish and Entitled, and Helicopter Parents Are to Blame. Reason. Retrieved from https://reason.com/2018/05/11/millennials-are-selfish-and-entitled-an/
  • Kohn, Alfie. (2018). The One-Sided Culture War Against Children. Education Week. Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/education/opinion-the-one-sided-culture-war-against-children/2018/09
  • Higgins, E. T. (2015). The balance between independence and guidance in childhood development. Child Development Perspectives, 9(2), 81-85.
  • Santrock, J. W. (2017). Child Development (14th ed.). Pearson.
  • Baumrind, D. (1991). Parenting styles and adolescent development. Journal of Early Adolescence, 11(1), 56-72.
  • Grolnick, W. S., & Ryan, R. M. (1989). Parent Styles associated with children's self-regulation and competence. Journal of Developmental Psychology, 25(5), 825-835.
  • Lillard, A. S., & Kline, A. (2016). The significance of independent play for childhood development. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 36, 220-229.
  • Steinberg, L. (2001). We Know Some Things: Parenting Skills and Child Development. Harvard University Press.
  • Putnam, R. D. (2015). Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis. Simon & Schuster.
  • Maccoby, E. E., & Martin, J. A. (1983). Socialization in the context of the family: Parent-child interaction. In E. M. Hetherington (Ed.), Handbook of Child Psychology (4th ed.), Vol. 4, pp. 1-101. Wiley.

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