Colleges and universities now need to cater to more than just freshmen -- they have to provide multi-day orientations for those pesky parents who just can't bare parting with their kids. Surveys show 74% of institutions said that this year they were hosting parent receptions on move-in day, up from 7% in 2003.
So, what's the deal with clingy parents? Some suspect it's the carnivalization of rites of passage. Weddings used to be a few hours long. Now they're week long events. The same goes for sending kids to college. Others think parents are realizing how much they missed out on childhood years and are trying to make up for it in those last days.
Colleges see parental interference as a detriment to new students' assimilation on campus. When the folks are around they can't gather students for meetings and events. They've had to adapt by providing parent programs to ease their anxieties and get them out of the students' ways.
Parents On Campus
Frosh Week For Mom & Dad
Trend Themes
1. Parental Orientation Programs - Colleges and universities are creating multi-day orientation programs for parents to ease their anxieties about their children's college experience.
2. Rites of Passage Celebration Expansion - The trend of making rites of passage celebrations longer and more elaborate, such as college move-in week for parents, is on the rise.
3. Catering to Parental Needs - Colleges and universities are finding it necessary to cater to parental needs in addition to those of their students in order to ensure a successful college experience for all.
Industry Implications
1. Higher Education - Colleges and universities must adapt to cater to both students and parents, which can provide opportunities for innovative orientation programs and services.
2. Event Planning - As weddings and other rites of passage become larger and more elaborate, there is a growing need for event planners who specialize in these types of celebrations.
3. Family Psychology - The trend of clingy parents may indicate a need for family psychologists who can help parents and children navigate the difficult transition to college life.