The Over-Bearing Parent... How Should Professors View Them?

Joel Kirby

Many in the academic world, teachers and students alike, have probably at some point in time heard the term “Helicopter parent”. This term is somewhat of a stereotype and generally refers to a parent that is over-bearing or too involved in their child’s academic life. These types of parents exist in all levels of academia, including elementary schools, high schools, and universities. It is not that uncommon or alarming for parents to be over-bearing in elementary, middle, or even high schools to a degree, but at the college level, these types of parents are often negatively viewed by professors.

At the University level, this is of course understandable. Professors usually have a well respected degree, and the last thing they want is to be pestered by a student’s parent. In the eyes of many professors, the student is responsible for completing the work, and the parent should support the student, but not interfere with the professor’s teachings. However, as explored by Pamela R. Mathews in the “Inside Higher Education” publication, professors should reexamine the helicopter parent’s negative connotation, and realize the positive benefits that can come from a parent’s involvement in their child’s college education.

It is important to distinguish between the productive, helpful aspects of an involved parent and the unproductive actions of an over-bearing parent. In my opinion, parents should not pester professors in unhelpful ways. For example, if a student fails to complete homework assigned online for a particular class, when it was announced in the class syllabus, a parent should not demand that their student be given extra time or resources. However, professors should realize the benefits of a concerned parent keeping tabs on their child. For example, say a student is slacking off in a class, but is not telling his parents so. The parents could contact the professor and find out that the student is actually performing poorly. A more serious example would involve a student giving his parents signs that he’s mentally unstable. By the parents asking the professor if he or she has noticed anything with the student, the student could receive treatment as needed. Collegiate academia should recognize the good will of the concerned, involved parent, and not negatively regard such parents.