The Perils of Overzealous Parenting: A Potential Path to Teen Distress

April 22, 2026 - 04:03

Renowned author and commentator Scott Galloway is drawing a direct line between a specific modern parenting approach and rising rates of adolescent depression. He identifies the "bulldozer" parenting style as a significant, yet often overlooked, contributor to teen mental health struggles.

This method, characterized by parents relentlessly clearing all obstacles, challenges, and potential failures from their child's path, is argued to have severe unintended consequences. Galloway suggests that by preventing young people from experiencing natural setbacks, parents inadvertently deprive them of critical life skills. Teens raised under this model may lack the resilience, problem-solving abilities, and emotional coping mechanisms needed to navigate adulthood's inevitable difficulties.

The constant intervention sends a damaging subconscious message, implying to the child that they are not capable of handling life's basic demands on their own. This can erode self-confidence and foster anxiety. When these teens eventually face a world where parents cannot intervene—be it in college, relationships, or the workplace—they may feel ill-equipped and overwhelmed, potentially triggering depressive episodes.

Galloway's analysis calls for a cultural shift, urging parents to step back and allow age-appropriate struggles. The goal is to foster independence and internal strength, better preparing the next generation for the complexities of real life.