"Modern parenting may hinder brain development, research shows"

[DreamGypsy]

6. Once again, a misleading title for a popular science/medicine article...

Most of my postings that rant on this theme are posted in the Science group, but I think a similar concern is appropriate here.

Admittedly, the goal of the popular press is to incite fear and panic in the populace each and every day, but is it necessary to carry that over into science, medicine, and health topics??

The title is "Modern parenting may hinder brain development, research shows".

Definition

hin·der 1 (hndr)
v. hin·dered, hin·der·ing, hin·ders
v.tr.
1. To be or get in the way of.
2. To obstruct or delay the progress of.
v.intr.
To interfere with action or progress.

If you search the article, or search the articles linked on the researcher's blog, the word 'hinder' does not occur. Neither does 'inhibit', 'stunt', 'prevent', or 'diminish'...at least in my brief attempts. I did not look at the papers on the researcher's website.

In the article the researcher is quoted as saying:

“The right brain, which governs much of our self-regulation, creativity and empathy, can grow throughout life. The right brain grows though full-body experience like rough-and-tumble play, dancing or freelance artistic creation. So at any point, a parent can take up a creative activity with a child and they can grow together.”

This statement does not mean that 'modern' parenting techniques will somehow block or decrease natural/normal brain development, but rather that a broader array of techniques will or may help foster or encourage brain development.

Am I just hair-splitting? I don't think so. My impression is that the researcher is intending to inform the readers of things that may help their children become happier, healthier, and better members of social groups. I don't think she intention was to encourage the idea that parents and their children have been victims of a left wing/right wing/chicken wing conspiracy of "modern parenting".

Rant off.