How Businessmen Can Improve Parenting

Tuesday, October 04, 2016

Writing at Inc., Suzanne Lucas explains how entrepreneurs can help stop "helicopter parenting." Her advice might be summarized as, "Be suspicious of recent grads whose records are a little too good to be true:"

You know who doesn't have time to demonstrate they will accomplish world changing things by the time they are 17? Kids who aren't helicoptered and have to fight their own battles at school, or hold down a part-time (or full-time) job. You know who won't have time to "contribute positively to the community while in college?" students who have to work and can't afford to take time off for fancy unpaid internships. As a result, top colleges admit kids who have parents that take care of as much as they possibly can. [link dropped]
Those who follow the link just before the quote will learn that this is no new rule of thumb. That said, it is also not iron-clad, since people who really are that incredible do pop up from time to time.

Perhaps, it bears emphasizing that, in addition to looking for people who aren't perfect, entrepreneurs who do come across that spotless record can take some time to establish that it wasn't air dropped. Ending helicopter parenting is a noble cause, but so is justice.

-- CAV

2 comments:

theothersideofthewormhole said...

In my book, anyone who mentions that - in addition to his qualifications and/or experience - he has "contributed positively to the community" exposes a huge 'spot' simply by the act of mentioning it.

Gus Van Horn said...

You have a point, although I would make some allowances for the fact that our culture is so steeped in altruism. At best, that is something that would need further looking into.