Facing Adulthood: Helicopter Parenting as a Function of the Family Projection Process

Helicopter parenting is a relatively new phenomenon that describes a specific kind of overparenting that is focused on the well-being and success of children that can impact young adults' general sense of life satisfaction, overall mood, and the development of necessary life skills. Using Bowen theory, the author will illustrate through a case study, how hyperattentive parenting can be conceptualized as a function of the family projection process, more specifically how triangles are used to diffuse anxiety in the parental system due to marital strife or transitions in the family life cycle. The author will use Bowen theory to highlight how one person can take responsibility for managing oneself in family relationships and work on emotional maturity in relationship to others. Finally, the author suggests that Bowen theory may be useful to college counselors who may be seeking a conceptual framework to work toward theory-based interventions for treating emerging adults.