Comment: Adulthood and risk-taking

In your assignment, you are also asked to comment on a statement from Text 3, “Over-parenting is the curse of our time” by Johann Hari: “It’s an essential part of growing up to learn to take risks, get in trouble, and sort it out on your own.” (ll. 23-24)

In your comment, you should first note that Text 3 is highly critical of over-parenting and that the author supports the idea that children should be brought up to be self-reliant and learn how to cope with challenging situations, instead of being overly-protected by their parents. The quote above summarizes this idea.

Johann Hari argues that growing-up is about assuming risks and even failing (“get in trouble”). The quote implies that adult life is about independence and being able to assume responsibilities, something which over-parenting delays and hinders: “But helicopter parents are determined to strip any risk from their child’s life. […].” (ll. 24-25)

To support this argument and the idea that over-parenting is one of the causes of young adults’ lack of practical skills, the author gives the example of a 21-year old who does not even know how to buy a plane ticket for himself:

The report cited a typical case of a 21-year-old apply...