Angela Sajek
Mr. Worth Weller
ENG W233
September 26, 2004
I-Search (Part 1 & 2)
I first encountered the topic of hyper-parenting in a psychology class. My class
was instructed to find interesting topics located in the magazine, Psychology Today and
bring the article to class for a group discussion. Being a mom of a toddler, I was
immediately drawn to an article describing hyper-parenting and the psychological
damage it can bring to a child. I had never heard of this parenting label before and was
immediately curious about what was said on the subject. When students brought in their
articles, the class discussed each topic individually. My topic struck great conversation
and controversy in the classroom. I haven’t done any further research on the subject since
that assignment; however, I have noticed many additional articles in other magazines
about the increasing popularity of hyper-parenting over the past year. I know hyper-
parenting is when a parent enrolls their child in as many activities as the daily schedule
will allow. Many parents are enrolling their children in sports as young as two years old.
Music lessons are booked for children as young as five years old. I have read that this
parenting trend is commonly due to social pressures. Parents want their children to be the
best and are trying to think two steps ahead by getting their children involved in multiple
activities as early in age as possible, assuming the child will excel in that specific activity
and become the best. Experts believe that when children are overwhelmed by a daily
schedule, the adolescent will fall into depression and lack creativity skills that are
