Spoon-fed

The adjective 'spoon-fed' describes a situation or person given excessive assistance, guidance, or information, often to the point of hindering their ability to learn or develop independence. It implies a lack of effort or critical thinking on the recipient's part, as they rely heavily on external sources instead of figuring things out for themselves. This can manifest in various ways, from being provided answers without having to solve problems, to being constantly directed and controlled, leaving no room for initiative. The implication is that this kind of support can be detrimental to the development of essential skills and self-reliance. It often describes educational, societal, or professional contexts.

Spoon-fed meaning with examples

• The professor was criticized for spoon-feeding the students. The class was graded on participation alone and students were never required to solve problems independently, leaving them ill-prepared for higher-level study. Consequently, they became reliant on direct instructions, which was not the intent of the curriculum. They needed to explore the subject in their own way, but were never given the chance.
• She complained that her children were being spoon-fed by their grandparents. They always gave them everything they asked for and did not make them do chores, which did not teach them responsibility or give them appreciation for the effort it takes to get what you want. They never learned to save their money, as their wants were always immediately met.
• The company's onboarding program was heavily criticized as spoon-feeding new employees. It gave them a rigid set of instructions without encouraging them to think critically or find their own solutions. This led to employees being unprepared to deal with changes in their roles, making it more difficult to learn and thrive, and be effective.
• The political debate was a clear example of spoon-feeding the public with superficial sound bites instead of addressing complex issues and presenting solutions. It left the voters with a simplistic understanding of nuanced topics, hindering an informed electorate capable of critical thought, which should be promoted at all costs.
• The software tutorials were considered to be spoon-fed, leading users to remain dependent on them. Users never took the time to explore the software's functionality, so they could not adapt their skills to handle unforeseen problems or complex projects. The training was seen as useful in the moment, but it created an environment of dependency.