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Karen J. Forbes, director of counseling services, published an article, “Students and Their Parents — Where do Campuses Fit In?” in the September-October issue of About Campus, the publication of the American College Personnel Association.
The article discusses the changing parental role in society and resulting changes in expectations from parents and students about the role of campus staff members. A major challenge for campus staff is dealing with students who feel they no longer need adult supervision or mentoring and parents who underestimate their children’s ability to make responsible decisions on their own.
“If we keep in mind that parents and children are struggling to redefine their relationships in the midst of enormous shifts in our economy and our culture, thinking of ourselves as facilitators in this process may both reduce our frustration and increase our satisfaction the next time we take the phone call from Mom or Dad,” writes Forbes.