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> By contrast, it is so good to see that death by drowning and car accidents have plummeted over the last 50 years. Yes, less deaths are obviously a positive.

> By contrast, it is so good to see that death by drowning and car accidents have plummeted over the last 50 years. Yes, less deaths are obviously a positive. However, could this be because of helicopter'ing adults? From kids not being allowed to be kids and put themselves in adverse places and face tough decisions? Mom won't let Johnny drive, she drives instead. Dad won't let Jane go out with friends on a camping trip. Those will save lives, yes? Adversity by definition means risk. Is it possible that eventally these kids will grow up and in say 20 years become adult suicides or maybe don't go that far but are joy-less dysfunctional (?) adults? And eventually they pass that "DNA" along to their kids? Helicopter parenting has longer term implications that we have yet to face. We can't have adversity without risk.

whstl 3y ago
I don't think that the implication is that "helicopter parenting" is doing it. The article posted by GP says this (and provides references): "This has been attributed to the widespread adoption of seat belts and appropriate child safety seats, the production of cars with improved safety standards, better constructed roads, graduated driver-licensing programs, and a focus on reducing teen drinking and driving"
- chiefalchemist 3y ago
  I'm commenting on the comment up one level from mine. They said they are for adversity but then said X and Y deaths are down. BuBut might that be from a lack of adversity? (Hint: I bet it is. It makes perfect sense.)
  - whstl 3y ago
    We're talking about the same comment. "GP" means grandparent, in this case jtrn. I'm referring to the link in their own post [1] The text in the linked article attributes the reason for having less deaths to safety standards, etc. In fact the same link mentions that people have been traveling more by car despite the reduction, not less. [1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38048241 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38048241
    - chiefalchemist 3y ago
      fwiw, come to think of it, deaths is a false god metric. That is, accidents can increase but medical procedures can have improved to prevent deaths. Nonetheless, in helicopter households moms and dads are certainly driving more. p.s. We've both read plenty of studies based on bad data, bad procedures, bad analysis, etc. The topic comes up weekly on HN. One study does not a law make, nor is it grounds to dismiss the obvious.
      - whstl 3y ago
        I don't think dismissing studies and statistics prima facie just because they don't match your pet theory is a good way to go.
jtrn 3y ago
I think the truth is somewhere in the middle. Some reduction is probably because of changes in protective styles of parents. But I think that the reduction of deaths due to car accidents is primarily driven by safety standards and better cars/roads. While the reduction in drowning is probably closer linked to parenting style. But also this is probably related to regulation. I think what's most annoying about overprotection is not when people demand that the child should use a flotation vest while on a boat, but when they demand that other kids shouldn't be allowed to bring peanuts to school, because their kids have anxiety about nuts after a minor allergic reaction earlier in life (actual case I had).
- chiefalchemist 3y ago
  > But I think that the reduction of deaths due to car accidents is primarily driven by safety standards and better cars/roads. Do we see that across the board? My impression is accidents are up due to distractions (i.e., phones). Youth are notorious heavy users of their devices. If their deaths are down it's not from safer roads.

whstl 3y ago

I don't think that the implication is that "helicopter parenting" is doing it. The article posted by GP says this (and provides references): "This has been attributed to the widespread adoption of seat belts and appropriate child safety seats, the production of cars with improved safety standards, better constructed roads, graduated driver-licensing programs, and a focus on reducing teen drinking and driving"

chiefalchemist 3y ago
I'm commenting on the comment up one level from mine. They said they are for adversity but then said X and Y deaths are down. BuBut might that be from a lack of adversity? (Hint: I bet it is. It makes perfect sense.)
- whstl 3y ago
  We're talking about the same comment. "GP" means grandparent, in this case jtrn. I'm referring to the link in their own post [1] The text in the linked article attributes the reason for having less deaths to safety standards, etc. In fact the same link mentions that people have been traveling more by car despite the reduction, not less. [1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38048241 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38048241
  - chiefalchemist 3y ago
    fwiw, come to think of it, deaths is a false god metric. That is, accidents can increase but medical procedures can have improved to prevent deaths. Nonetheless, in helicopter households moms and dads are certainly driving more. p.s. We've both read plenty of studies based on bad data, bad procedures, bad analysis, etc. The topic comes up weekly on HN. One study does not a law make, nor is it grounds to dismiss the obvious.
    - whstl 3y ago
      I don't think dismissing studies and statistics prima facie just because they don't match your pet theory is a good way to go.

jtrn 3y ago

I think the truth is somewhere in the middle. Some reduction is probably because of changes in protective styles of parents. But I think that the reduction of deaths due to car accidents is primarily driven by safety standards and better cars/roads. While the reduction in drowning is probably closer linked to parenting style. But also this is probably related to regulation. I think what's most annoying about overprotection is not when people demand that the child should use a flotation vest while on a boat, but when they demand that other kids shouldn't be allowed to bring peanuts to school, because their kids have anxiety about nuts after a minor allergic reaction earlier in life (actual case I had).

chiefalchemist 3y ago
> But I think that the reduction of deaths due to car accidents is primarily driven by safety standards and better cars/roads. Do we see that across the board? My impression is accidents are up due to distractions (i.e., phones). Youth are notorious heavy users of their devices. If their deaths are down it's not from safer roads.