How did “Latchkey” Kids Become Snowplow Parents?
The “latchkey generation,” also known as Generation x (those born between 1965 and 1979) is now raising teenagers in a way that may be called “compensating” for the lack of attention they may have received from their parents.
If you went to school in the 80s, you may have very well bid farewell to both parents as they headed out the door to their respective jobs while you boarded the bus or walked to school. You may have also returned home from school before both of your parents, made yourself a snack and watched the Cosby Show (place head in hands).
Perhaps you had a list of to-dos that your mom left behind, but you spent your afternoons largely unsupervised and carefree. You chose your after-school adventures; you were master of your domain.
Have you ever considered you’re who you are because you had plenty of room to make your own decisions and your own mistakes?
The lack of unstructured, un-programmed free time available to today’s teens is in stark contrast to what their latchkey parents enjoyed. Not only did these Gen X kids become very involved parents, they almost see their children as actual extensions of themselves; appendages to be manipulated like an arm. And let’s not mistake these parents…
