Comments on: Helicopter parents challenge our assumptions about rank and class http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/08/helicopter-parents-challenge-our-assumptions-about-rank-and-class/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:29:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Charlene http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/08/helicopter-parents-challenge-our-assumptions-about-rank-and-class/comment-page-1/#comment-229719 Charlene Thu, 15 Jul 2010 16:52:14 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/08/helicopter-parents-challenge-our-assumptions-about-rank-and-class/#comment-229719 There is already a gap have's/have nots. Children of stockholders, wealthy and influential parents have a much better shot at plum positions than children who had to make it on their own. Just look at some of the young "interns" at companies and firms. Their parents arranged for them to get the internship, in most cases. Maybe Daddy was friends with the boss, perhaps they went to college together and were in the same fraternity. So Daddy arranges for his 18 year old son to get this internship. In most cases, these spoiled kids don't even have to interview for their interships! Its just handed to them. I've seen them balk at having to even fill out applications, though, which is a requirement for HR. Then the interns do little or nothing on the job. They hand most of their work off to admins. They play online games all day or talk on the phone. This seems to be what corporate American wants - this is the precise reason I decided to jump out of the corporate world and go into self employment. I am not valued in the workplace, despite years of experience and well honed skills. I am at an age now where many employers don't want me. There is already a gap have's/have nots. Children of stockholders, wealthy and influential parents have a much better shot at plum positions than children who had to make it on their own.

Just look at some of the young "interns" at companies and firms. Their parents arranged for them to get the internship, in most cases. Maybe Daddy was friends with the boss, perhaps they went to college together and were in the same fraternity. So Daddy arranges for his 18 year old son to get this internship. In most cases, these spoiled kids don't even have to interview for their interships! Its just handed to them. I've seen them balk at having to even fill out applications, though, which is a requirement for HR. Then the interns do little or nothing on the job. They hand most of their work off to admins. They play online games all day or talk on the phone. This seems to be what corporate American wants – this is the precise reason I decided to jump out of the corporate world and go into self employment. I am not valued in the workplace, despite years of experience and well honed skills. I am at an age now where many employers don't want me.

]]> By: Charlene http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/08/helicopter-parents-challenge-our-assumptions-about-rank-and-class/comment-page-1/#comment-229718 Charlene Thu, 15 Jul 2010 16:46:55 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/08/helicopter-parents-challenge-our-assumptions-about-rank-and-class/#comment-229718 Companies should endeavor to hire older job applicants. My generation (people in their 40s) learned how to stand on their own two feet. A 22 year old bringing mommy or daddy to the interview is a pathetic and weak person. Companies should endeavor to hire older job applicants. My generation (people in their 40s) learned how to stand on their own two feet.

A 22 year old bringing mommy or daddy to the interview is a pathetic and weak person.

]]> By: Mike Harris http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/08/helicopter-parents-challenge-our-assumptions-about-rank-and-class/comment-page-1/#comment-226410 Mike Harris Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:52:52 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/08/helicopter-parents-challenge-our-assumptions-about-rank-and-class/#comment-226410 I hire people for a sales floor. The instant an applicant's parents contact me is the instant the kid loses the chance at the job. I expect an applicant for even an entry level position to exercise a certain degree of independent judgment. The child of a "helicopter parent" does not have this quality. I hire people for a sales floor. The instant an applicant's parents contact me is the instant the kid loses the chance at the job.

I expect an applicant for even an entry level position to exercise a certain degree of independent judgment. The child of a "helicopter parent" does not have this quality.

]]> By: seandineen http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/08/helicopter-parents-challenge-our-assumptions-about-rank-and-class/comment-page-1/#comment-183175 seandineen Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:23:20 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/08/helicopter-parents-challenge-our-assumptions-about-rank-and-class/#comment-183175 Family assistence is not bad. I am a college prof, and doctoral student, I am also disabled. I have survived and thrived because pc or not loving family and friends got involved in what I was doing. I thank God for it, all this talk about independence is like Middle class morality for Alfred Doolitlle "Just an excuse for never giving me anything. Family assistence is not bad.
I am a college prof, and doctoral student, I am also disabled. I have survived and thrived because pc or not loving family and friends got involved in what I was doing.
I thank God for it, all this talk about independence is like Middle class morality for Alfred Doolitlle "Just an excuse for never giving me anything.

]]> By: Possibility of Recession | Chris Gammell's Analog Life http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/08/helicopter-parents-challenge-our-assumptions-about-rank-and-class/comment-page-1/#comment-170948 Possibility of Recession | Chris Gammell's Analog Life Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:40:22 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/08/helicopter-parents-challenge-our-assumptions-about-rank-and-class/#comment-170948 [...] sucky times and earned a lot of what they got. Fast forward 80 years and you have Generation Y, the helicopter parent driven careers with high salaries and lower skill levels than many engineers leaving school 20 [...] [...] sucky times and earned a lot of what they got. Fast forward 80 years and you have Generation Y, the helicopter parent driven careers with high salaries and lower skill levels than many engineers leaving school 20 [...]

]]> By: Guyland: Gen Y ‘Guys’ Are Stuck « Life Before Noon: A Millennial’s Manual http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/08/helicopter-parents-challenge-our-assumptions-about-rank-and-class/comment-page-1/#comment-170616 Guyland: Gen Y ‘Guys’ Are Stuck « Life Before Noon: A Millennial’s Manual Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:36:23 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/08/helicopter-parents-challenge-our-assumptions-about-rank-and-class/#comment-170616 [...] Helicopter Parenting- Gen Y has been micromanaged by their parents, often causing negative effects as they transition to young professionals.   [...] [...] Helicopter Parenting- Gen Y has been micromanaged by their parents, often causing negative effects as they transition to young professionals.   [...]

]]> By: Helicopter Parents - Invite em in!! « Jennifer Stubbs http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/08/helicopter-parents-challenge-our-assumptions-about-rank-and-class/comment-page-1/#comment-139310 Helicopter Parents - Invite em in!! « Jennifer Stubbs Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:08:52 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/08/helicopter-parents-challenge-our-assumptions-about-rank-and-class/#comment-139310 [...] Today I was reading about helicopter parents, a study that said that generation Y prefers to have them involved in their lives. http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/08/helicopter-parents-challenge-our-assumptions-about-rank-and... [...] [...] Today I was reading about helicopter parents, a study that said that generation Y prefers to have them involved in their lives. http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/08/helicopter-parents-challenge-our-assumptions-about-rank-and... [...]

]]> By: Lisa http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/08/helicopter-parents-challenge-our-assumptions-about-rank-and-class/comment-page-1/#comment-137226 Lisa Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:15:24 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/08/helicopter-parents-challenge-our-assumptions-about-rank-and-class/#comment-137226 I think the emotional effects on the child deserve more attention. Even parents with the best intentions can stifle the separation process that needs to occur. Many times the "helicoptering" begins very early on, in elementary school or earlier. When children feel such pressure to succeed, they spend their lives trying to please their parents. Many times this leads to a pefectionist complex and issues like eating disorders, anxiety disorders, panic attacks, and depression. I would be interested to see a psychologist weigh in on this topic. I think the emotional effects on the child deserve more attention. Even parents with the best intentions can stifle the separation process that needs to occur. Many times the "helicoptering" begins very early on, in elementary school or earlier. When children feel such pressure to succeed, they spend their lives trying to please their parents. Many times this leads to a pefectionist complex and issues like eating disorders, anxiety disorders, panic attacks, and depression. I would be interested to see a psychologist weigh in on this topic.

]]> By: MarilynJean http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/08/helicopter-parents-challenge-our-assumptions-about-rank-and-class/comment-page-1/#comment-68709 MarilynJean Wed, 09 May 2007 19:53:23 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/08/helicopter-parents-challenge-our-assumptions-about-rank-and-class/#comment-68709 Thanks, Penelope for shedding some much needed perspective on the subject. I find myself not agreeing with Ryan on much, and this topic further underlined that sentiment. I won't repeat what I think others have already said so eloquently. However, I will just say that "helicopter parents" are certainly a benefit of the priviliged - middle class and higher. It is almost smug, selfish and naive to take the position that these types of parents are a benefit in the workplace when all it does is further widen the gap between the "haves" and "have nots". Thanks, Penelope for shedding some much needed perspective on the subject. I find myself not agreeing with Ryan on much, and this topic further underlined that sentiment. I won't repeat what I think others have already said so eloquently.

However, I will just say that "helicopter parents" are certainly a benefit of the priviliged – middle class and higher. It is almost smug, selfish and naive to take the position that these types of parents are a benefit in the workplace when all it does is further widen the gap between the "haves" and "have nots".

]]> By: David http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/08/helicopter-parents-challenge-our-assumptions-about-rank-and-class/comment-page-1/#comment-68681 David Wed, 09 May 2007 18:31:51 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/05/08/helicopter-parents-challenge-our-assumptions-about-rank-and-class/#comment-68681 "Sorry, I can’t agree with you here. If a prospective applicant’s mommy or daddy started calling me to talk about the interview, that would reflect very badly on them to me. They’re not kids anymore, and not in college either. When you join the working world you become an adult, and it’s time to have mom & dad stop leading you by the hand. By all means, seek out advice from mom & dad behind the scenes. But they need to stand on their own 2 feet." DAR - you're absolutely correct, behind the scenes and no further. My stepson (during his senior year of college) stated, "I don't know what to do" (as to what job offer he ought to accept). The parent in me stated, "I can't make the decision for you, but if it were me ... this is what I'd do." Well, I directed him to what I thought, was the best opportunity for him (at the time). Well, now my "big shot" aspiring adult son would probably have taken the last minute offer from G.E. in Milwaukee, WI; but neither of us new what the "ultimate" best path ought to have been. Moral: if you "work" behind the scenes on "career strategy" you cannot be a "majority" stakeholder (notwithstanding the fact that adult "kids" don't know what the hell they're doing until about the age of 26 anyways). Well, Michael has done okay for himself. He is a Process Engineer for Wachovia Bank and aspiring MBA student (he ought to major in Supply Chain ...) actually, it never ends. "Sorry, I can’t agree with you here.

If a prospective applicant’s mommy or daddy started calling me to talk about the interview, that would reflect very badly on them to me. They’re not kids anymore, and not in college either. When you join the working world you become an adult, and it’s time to have mom & dad stop leading you by the hand.

By all means, seek out advice from mom & dad behind the scenes. But they need to stand on their own 2 feet."

DAR – you're absolutely correct, behind the scenes and no further. My stepson (during his senior year of college) stated, "I don't know what to do" (as to what job offer he ought to accept). The parent in me stated, "I can't make the decision for you, but if it were me … this is what I'd do." Well, I directed him to what I thought, was the best opportunity for him (at the time). Well, now my "big shot" aspiring adult son would probably have taken the last minute offer from G.E. in Milwaukee, WI; but neither of us new what the "ultimate" best path ought to have been. Moral: if you "work" behind the scenes on "career strategy" you cannot be a "majority" stakeholder (notwithstanding the fact that adult "kids" don't know what the hell they're doing until about the age of 26 anyways).

Well, Michael has done okay for himself. He is a Process Engineer for Wachovia Bank and aspiring MBA student (he ought to major in Supply Chain …) actually, it never ends.

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