"Please Let Me Know If My Child Attended" University Area's 'Helicopter Moms and Dads' Frenzy

Partial Resumption of Academic Schedules at Some Universities as COVID-19 Eases
Emergence of 'Helicopter Moms and Dads' Overly Involved in Children's Education on Campuses
Some Parents Request "Please Inform if Attendance Was Taken"
Experts Advise "Parents and Children Should Not Depend on Each Other"

As the COVID-19 quarantine system has been eased, some universities that had postponed or canceled their academic schedules have resumed them. While some universities have announced plans to conduct in-person classes, it has been revealed that faculty and staff are facing difficulties due to so-called "helicopter moms and daddies," parents who are excessively involved in their children's education.
/Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Seunggon Han, Intern Reporter Seulgi Kim] # A(28), who worked as a teaching assistant in the department office of a university in Seoul, experienced a frustrating incident last semester while working. After the final exams were over and grades were released, some parents called to complain about their children's grades. A said, "One parent called and angrily asked why the exam questions were made so easy that the grades didn't come out properly," adding, "There were so many complaint calls that it was impossible to carry out basic academic tasks, and there were times I deliberately did not answer the phone."

As the COVID-19 pandemic situation eased, some universities that had postponed or canceled academic schedules resumed them. Amid some universities deciding to implement face-to-face classes, it has been revealed that faculty and staff are suffering due to so-called 'helicopter moms and dads'?parents who excessively interfere in matters related to their children's education.

Complaints have continued beyond inquiries about postponed academic schedules due to COVID-19, including demands such as asking professors to send text messages confirming their children's attendance or insisting that exam questions be properly prepared.

Faculty and staff also point out that parental interference has gone beyond reasonable limits. B(31), who works as an administrative assistant in a university department office, said, "I received a call from a parent asking how grades would be assigned because their child was attending online lectures due to COVID-19 but seemed not to be properly attending," adding, "While I understand the concerns of students and parents about the delayed semester start and lecture services due to COVID-19, it felt like excessive interference in the affairs of adult children."

Moreover, it has been revealed that some parents request recommendations for their children for internship positions or demand the establishment of practical training programs related to their children's employment.

B said, "After the internship recruitment period announced on the school's website had passed, a parent called the department office demanding, 'I checked the announcement late and couldn't apply for the internship program, so please let my child apply again,'" adding, "When I explained that it was not possible due to procedural reasons, they complained, 'Will you take responsibility if my child can't get a job?'"

The photo is not related to any specific expression in the article. Photo by Yonhap News.

In some universities with special characteristics, such as military academies and maritime universities, it has been revealed that parent communities like parent associations interfere in their children's university life.

In a parent association community of a university, posts asking how to check their children's grades were posted, along with topics such as changing the size of adult children's uniforms and laundry methods.

Parent C said, "There is a washing machine in the dormitory, but my child doesn't know how to use it, so they bring a suitcase full of laundry every weekend," and requested, "I hope the dormitory staff would provide instructions on how to use the washing machine."

Furthermore, another parent posted, "I heard there is noise between floors in the school dormitory; XXX, XXX (student names) are in the same class year, so I hope they get along well," seemingly interfering in their children's social relationships.

As more parents show interest in their children's school life, some universities established so-called 'parent portals' for parents last year. In June of last year, Yonsei University implemented a 'Parent Grade Inquiry Service' allowing parents to directly view grades. Additionally, Ewha Womans University opened an internet page for parents.

Experts explain that with fewer children, the relationship between parents who managed their children from a young age and children who depended on such parents continues even after they become adults. They suggest that both parents and children need to make efforts to become independent without relying on each other.

Professor Kumju Kwak of the Department of Psychology at Seoul National University said, "Parents who managed their children to send them to good schools from an early age often feel upset when their children suddenly become adults and leave their care," adding, "In this process, more parents feel doubtful about their own existence or feel like they have 'nothing to do'."

Professor Kwak said, "In such cases, parents need to consider whether they are depending on their children. Efforts to become independent from their children are necessary," adding, "Also, globally, the trend of 'Kangaroo generation,' where adults expect their parents to take care of them, is increasing. The fundamental solution is for children to also attempt to become independent from their parents."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.