Impact of parental overprotection on children's autonomy

Abstract

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46296/rc.v8i15.0347

During the last decades, parental overprotection has become a topic of growing interest in the educational and psychological field. Parents, with the intention of preventing their children from facing dangers or failures, exert excessive control over their activities and decisions. Although these actions are motivated by love and the desire to protect, in many cases they limit the development of essential skills for children's independence and autonomy. This phenomenon has generated concern among teachers, who observe that overprotected children have greater difficulties in facing daily challenges and solving problems on their own. The impact of overprotection is not limited to the development of practical skills, but also affects children's emotional health. Bautista (2012) points out that both authoritarian and permissive parenting styles can restrict the development of autonomy, affecting cognitive, moral, emotional and socio-affective growth. In addition, these children tend to have less confidence in their abilities, which makes it difficult for them to make decisions autonomously. As a result, their self-esteem is impaired and their ability to relate to their environment and establish healthy social bonds is impaired. As Meléndez-García et al. (2024) and Álvarez et al. (2024) indicate, overprotection can hinder the development of social skills, autonomy and emotional intelligence in preschool children. Likewise, overprotection negatively impacts academic progress and the ability to form healthy social relationships. Acosta Rojas (2023) found a correlation between overprotection and aggressive behaviors in children, while emotional intelligence correlates negatively with such behaviors. To address these problems, it is recommended to implement educational strategies and parental support programs that promote balanced parenting and improve the overall development of children (Alvarez et al., 2024; Morocho-Alvarado and Cuadrado-Vaca, 2023). Although the intention of overprotective parents is to care for their children, this approach can be counterproductive to the development of child autonomy. Fostering independence and allowing children to face and overcome challenges is crucial for their overall growth and emotional well-being. Parents and educators must work together to balance protection and promotion of autonomy, ensuring that children develop the skills necessary to become independent and self-confident individuals.

Keywords: Autonomy, Emotional development, Social skills, independent, overprotection, emotional development.