Over-assistance
Over-assistance refers to the act of providing excessive or unnecessary help to someone, often to the point where it hinders their ability to develop independence, learn from their mistakes, or take responsibility for their own actions. This can manifest as constantly intervening to solve problems for others, completing tasks they are capable of doing themselves, or offering unsolicited advice and support that stifles their initiative. It often stems from a desire to protect, control, or simply to make things easier for the recipient, but ultimately undermines their growth and self-reliance. It can involve tangible or intangible help.
Over-assistance meaning with examples
- A teacher's over-assistance with a student's project, doing the work for them instead of guiding them, prevents the student from learning and developing their own skills. The teacher’s attempts to make the student more successful have the opposite effect. The student becomes reliant on the teacher and does not learn from their own efforts or develop resilience.
- A parent providing over-assistance by constantly intervening to resolve their child's conflicts on the playground, rather than allowing them to navigate social situations, prevents the child from developing vital social and conflict-resolution skills. This constant intervention creates dependence and an inability to manage peer relationships effectively.
- A manager offering over-assistance by micromanaging an employee's work, constantly checking in and offering direction on every task, hinders the employee's ability to develop their autonomy and problem-solving skills. This can be perceived as a lack of trust and lead to resentment and a lack of initiative.
- A friend providing over-assistance by constantly offering unwanted advice and solutions to another friend's problems, instead of simply listening and allowing the friend to work through the situation themselves, prevents the person from developing their emotional resilience. It stifles their ability to self-reflect and find their own solutions.
