“Helicopter Parenting” and Antisocial Behavior: The Role of Family Education

Abstract

The expression “helicopter parent” indicates those parents who are excessively present in their children’s lives, who implement a form of excessive overprotection, and who are guided by a high sense of responsibility that is expressed in an attempt to remove all obstacles and anticipated threats that could interfere with the well-being of the offspring. “Helicopter parenting” can lead to serious negative effects on the subject’s character in the long term. It can also favour the development of psychological disorders, as well as the manifestation of outbursts of uncontrolled anger, oppositionality, and, in the most serious cases, the committing of antisocial behaviors, characterised by attitudes of contempt, disregard, and the violation of other people’s rights. The family can play an important role in the prevention of antisocial behavior and in the promotion of socially shared and constructive conduct.