Abstract

In China, helicopter parenting is a phenomenon where parents exhibit over-protective and controlling behaviors towards their children, which has become a notable phenomenon in Chinese modern education. The main purpose of our paper is to delve into the negative effects of Chinese helicopter parenting may cause on children’s self-cognition and emotion regulation skills. To investigate these effects, we conducted a mixed-methods approach, which combined a questionnaire based on authoritative scales with in-depth case studies, which aims to quantitatively assess the prevalence and intensity of helicopter parenting practices, along with a qualitative understanding of the underlying psychological mechanisms. With reference to relevant psychological theories, we further analyzed children’s psychology in combination with the above survey results, then draw the following conclusions about the psychological impact of Chinese children under helicopter parenting: Firstly, over-protection and intervention by helicopter parents may prevent children from recognizing their own instincts, which can hinder the development of their self-cognition and intrinsic motivation. Additionally, over-protection by helicopter parents may lead to children’s inability to regulate their emotions, resulting in negative effects such as excessive anxiety and a lack of a sense of well-being. Therefore, we suggest that parents should balance care with growth space and respect children’s autonomy to turn their child into a well-rounded and confident adult in the future.

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