There's enough science there for a class-action lawsuit. The contention is that what's being called "overparenting" protects children from trial-and-error learning, thus shrinking their nervous systems. Those wanting more of the theory on this can google "neuroplasticity."
In the current edition of THE NEW YORKER, Joan Acocella goes beyond the usual cliches about helicopter parents to what could be the long-term impacts of preventing children from experiencing the world in all its complexity, obstacles and opportunities. The most attention-getting claim - and one overparented children-become-disabled-adults can sue for - is that such a pattern of child-rearing can stunt brain development.
As we lead paint watchers know from the Rhode Island public nuisance trial, anything to do with cognitive development in the child is the on-the-money issue to juries. Beyond the individual tragedy, society gets saddled with that generation of disabled who can't take care of themselves.
There could be more. It's contended that these coddled children grow up without a moral compass or enough awareness of the "other" out there. When hauled into court for a charge of murder or embezzlement, the miscreant can attempt the novel defense of having been overparented, therefore never enabled to develop a healthy superego.
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