What is a Lawnmower Parent?
Thursday, August 22, 2024.
Lawnmower parenting, sometimes referred to as "bulldozer parenting," is a relatively recent term in the landscape of modern parenting styles.
It gained popularity around 2018 when an anonymous teacher's viral blog post described parents who go to great lengths to prevent their children from facing any adversity, challenge, or discomfort.
These parents "mow down" any obstacles in their child’s path, ensuring that life is as smooth and easy as possible.
The Birth of the Lawnmower Parent Meme
The concept of lawnmower parenting emerged as an evolution of helicopter parenting—a term coined in the 1960s to describe parents who hovered over their children, closely monitoring their every move (Padilla-Walker & Nelson, 2012). However, lawnmower parents take it a step further. Instead of merely hovering, they actively intervene, removing obstacles before their children even encounter them.
The term "lawnmower parent" became widely recognized in 2018 after a teacher’s blog post, which described this parenting style, was picked up by various media outlets. It resonated with educators and parents alike, who saw this phenomenon reflected in their own lives.
Timeline of the Lawnmower Parent Meme
1969: The term "helicopter parent" is coined in Dr. Haim Ginott's book Between Parent & Teenager.
2000s: Helicopter parenting becomes a widely recognized phenomenon, particularly as millennials come of age.
2013: The term "bulldozer parenting" begins to circulate in educational circles, describing a more aggressive form of helicopter parenting.
2018: The term "lawnmower parent" goes viral after a teacher’s blog post describes parents who clear any obstacles in their child’s way, leading to widespread media coverage and discussion.
2020s: Lawnmower parenting becomes part of mainstream parenting discourse, with discussions around its long-term impacts on child development and resilience.
The Science Behind Lawnmower Parenting
Social science research suggests that overprotective parenting, including lawnmower parenting, can have detrimental effects on children's development. For example, Schiffrin et al. (2014) found that children of overprotective parents are more likely to struggle with problem-solving and show less resilience when faced with challenges.
These children often lack the necessary skills to cope with adversity because their parents have consistently removed obstacles from their paths.
Further research indicates that these children may experience higher levels of anxiety and depression. According to Segrin, Woszidlo, Givertz, and Montgomery (2013), children who are not allowed to experience and overcome failure may develop a fear of failure, leading to avoidance behaviors and a lack of perseverance.
Comparing Lawnmower Parenting to Other Meme-Based Parenting Styles
Helicopter Parenting: Helicopter parents hover over their children, closely monitoring their activities. While helicopter parenting focuses on overseeing, lawnmower parenting is more about intervention—removing obstacles before they even become an issue (Padilla-Walker & Nelson, 2012).
Tiger Parenting: Popularized by Amy Chua’s 2011 book Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, tiger parenting is characterized by high expectations and strict discipline. Unlike lawnmower parents, tiger parents believe in letting their children face challenges to build resilience, albeit within a highly structured environment.
Free-Range Parenting: This style is the antithesis of lawnmower parenting. Free-range parents encourage independence and allow their children to face challenges and learn from them. It’s about fostering self-reliance, the very thing lawnmower parents may unintentionally inhibit.
Snowplow Parenting: Similar to lawnmower parenting, snowplow parents clear any obstacles in their child’s path, but with even more intensity. They are often seen as hyper-aggressive in their efforts to ensure their child's success, whether it's getting them into a prestigious college or landing a top internship (LeMoyne & Buchanan, 2011).
The Irony of Lawnmower Parenting
The humorous side of lawnmower parenting lies in its absurdity.
Picture a parent sprinting ahead of their child, flattening every bump on the sidewalk to ensure a perfectly smooth stroll. It’s laughable but also a little concerning. The reality is that life is full of challenges, and part of growing up is learning to navigate them.
Lawnmower parents, in their quest to protect, may be doing more harm than good, raising children who are ill-prepared for the inevitable rough patches of adulthood.
Final thoughts
Lawnmower parenting is a modern meme that reflects our cultural anxiety about child-rearing in an increasingly competitive world.
While it’s rooted in good intentions, the research suggests that this style of parenting may backfire, leading to less resilient and more anxious children. As with many things in life, balance is key—allowing children to face challenges while providing support when truly necessary might be the best approach.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
REFERENCES:
LeMoyne, T., & Buchanan, T. (2011). Does “hovering” matter? Helicopter parenting and its effect on well-being. Sociological Spectrum, 31(4), 399-418. https://doi.org/10.1080/02732173.2011.574038
Padilla-Walker, L. M., & Nelson, L. J. (2012). Black hawk down? Establishing helicopter parenting as a distinct construct from other forms of parental control during emerging adulthood. Journal of Adolescence, 35(5), 1177-1190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2012.03.007
Schiffrin, H. H., Liss, M., Geary, K. A., Miles-McLean, H., & Tashner, T. (2014). Helping or hovering? The effects of helicopter parenting on college students’ well-being. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 23(3), 548-557. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-013-9716-3
Segrin, C., Woszidlo, A., Givertz, M., & Montgomery, N. (2013). Parent and child traits associated with overparenting. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 32(6), 569-595. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2013.32.6.569
