Why are some parents more overprotective than others?

Question

Do you think overprotective parents do more harm to kids?

Answer 1

Parents become overprotective for the love of their children.. Wouldnt you love that? When you are still young you might get agriviated by the situation but you will only be grateful when you get older and start opening you eyes and realise that your parents meant well. I dont see an harm done by being protective of parents. I love my parents and i am glad they did what they did with me when i was younger..

Answer 2

Hi,

as a child of parents who went out their way to not be protective of me i can honestly say that overprotective parents are the lesser of two evils.

my parents always found justifications for those who mistreated me and i foolishly took that to heart - i found abusive men and made excuses for them, as i learned to do.

everyone is a product of their upbringing, and some parents just care more about their child's well-being than others based on that.

i wish my parents had cared more about me, even to the point of annoyance - my life would have turned out a lot differently... i would have learned self-respect, had a sense of self-esteem, wouldn't have tolerated abuse, etc...

if your parents love you enough to care about your happiness, be grateful.

Answer 3

(edit, post-clarification)

My kids are not that old, but when they get that age as a parent I expect to transition more into an advisory role. After 21 (in America) you are legally an adult in every way; you are soveriegn and you are the last word on the decisions you make.

Parents of children that age should advise, guide, and wish well, but not meddle. The one notable exception is if the children have not yet moved out.. in which case the parents should have control over their home environment and set rules as any communal landlord would. Don't make noise, don't tear the place up or disturb the peace for others in the house. Beyond that things default to what I said above. ^_^

Answer 4

This is  psychological, many parents expect more then child could, or some have their own experience of being lost in family problem, at their similar age, or the most important reason is the   ego problems where parents want to show off their bringing up the child better then others.

Answer 5

Yes.  Being protective is good.  Being over protective is bad.  The child needs to explore and learn and grow.  A parent also needs to learn to let go and let their child get bumps and bruises and fall down.  Yes, be there for the child but let the child have room to become the person they can be with love and support and communication.  Setting rules is good for boundaries for both parent and child.  Being over protective is unhealthy mentally and emotionally for everyone in the family.  Balance is needed.  Over protective is not being balanced - it's the opposite.