Are Children Overprotected Today? Consequences of Growing Up 'Under a Glass Bell'

Pedagogue Snežana Golić warns that the modern parental desire to keep children constantly happy can have unintended negative consequences. She explains that experiencing sadness, disappointment, and failure are essential parts of growing up, helping children develop the resilience needed for later life. Golić noted that contemporary parenting styles vary widely, leading to diverse outcomes.

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Parenting styles today are very diverse, so we have everything. We have a whole range of parenting styles which, consequently, bring different results.

A significant shift observed is the decoupling of rights and responsibilities, alongside a decreased tolerance for frustration among children. Golić explained that in the past, rights and responsibilities were intrinsically linked, making it clear to children that rights do not exist without accountability. Today, overprotection leads to children receiving rights early but responsibilities late, causing confusion. Parents often try to alleviate every problem out of a genuine desire to prevent their child from suffering, immaturity, or distress.

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Rights and responsibilities used to go together and it was clear to children that rights do not exist without responsibilities. Whereas today, overprotection leads to us receiving responsibilities late and rights early, which confuses them.

However, Golić cautions that this approach can have long-term repercussions, as life inevitably presents problems. She likens sadness, disappointment, and failure to a natural developmental process, acting like a vaccine that builds immunity and habituates individuals to overcoming challenges. Children shielded from unpleasant experiences for too long may struggle to cope with significant life setbacks, encountering overwhelming sadness and lacking the emotional tools to navigate it.

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If we follow natural development, the child has their challenges, their sadness, like a vaccine that develops immunity for tomorrow and creates a habit in us to overcome problems.

This situation is further complicated by the rise in mental health issues among young people. Golić also pointed out the challenge schools face when collaborating with parents who, out of fear, attempt to control every situation their child encounters. She stressed that parents' intentions are usually good, driven by love, but emphasized the importance of educating parents. Golić advises parents against seeking universal parenting formulas, especially on social media, and instead encourages them to focus on understanding their child's unique needs.

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There is no bad intention here. More or less, all parents and children are connected by immense love.