Overprotective Parenting Fuels Children's Anxiety, Says American Psychologist

Intensive parenting approaches do not lead to better outcomes for children while creating significantly worse conditions for parents themselves, according to American psychologist Meredith Elkins, author of a book on parenting and anxiety. Elkins argues that many parents are willing to sacrifice themselves for intensive parenting methods, but research data shows these approaches fail to benefit children. The psychologist explains that anxiety can serve a useful purpose and that suppressing it may lead to dangerous and unhealthy ways of coping with difficult emotions. Her findings challenge the prevailing trend toward overprotective parenting styles that have become common in many developed countries.