College students with very involved parents are more satisfied with college and more engaged in learning activities, reports the National Survey of Student Engagement.
“Compared with their counterparts, children of helicopter parents were more satisfied with every aspect of their college experience, gained more in such areas as writing and critical thinking, and were more likely to talk with faculty and peers about substantive topics,” said survey director George D. Kuh, an Indiana University professor.
However coptered students had lower grades than classmates with less-involved parents, suggesting that they needed more help to begin with.
Thirteen percent of first-year students and 8 percent of seniors reported having a parent who “frequently intervened on their behalf to help them solve problems they were having at the college.”
USA Today has more on NSSE’s attempt to evaluate the colleage experience.
Update: Joie Jager-Hyman adds her thoughts on Crucial Minutiae
“However coptered students had lower grades than classmates with less-involved parents, suggesting that they needed more help to begin with.” JJ
Or maybe the less-coptered students develop stronger coping skills which led them to improved self-reliance.
They’ll probably be “more satisfied” with their work lives after college if they get to live at home while their parents support them. Do we really need a survey to decide if it’s right to cut the apron strings?
I thought this was interesting, as a college student. I communicate with my parents a few times a week by phone, which I think is pretty involved compared to the relationships some of my peers have with their parents. I am really enjoying my experiences at college away from home, but I do appreciate my parental support and involvement too. Just noticed your blog entry and thought I’d share!
Hovering, smothering, no matter which approach, when they hit 20 yrs it’s out the door. but make sure they’ve receive some learning by then.
And what happens when they get out in the workforce? Are their parents going to call their bosses and request a better performance review for their child?
I teach college and I’ve seen students who have more or less been on their own since 16 and students whose parents still hover. In terms of who’s going to succeed as an adult and who isn’t (and “reporting a favorable experience” is not necessarily evidence of success), my money’s on the less-coddled students.
There’s a difference between TALKING to your parents regularly (I talked to mine twice a week in college – I still do, in fact) and having them actively interfere on your behalf. (My father, many many times, when I reported some tsuris I was suffering in college, said, “You’re a smart and strong person. You can figure this out.” And darn it, he was right.)