When I think of dads who are overprotective of their sons, I can't help but picture Marlin and Nemo in Finding Nemo. As odd as it may be to compare an animated film to real life parenting, the example is perfect. The movies clearly shows some of the ways overprotective dads hurt their sons with their constant need to feel in control of their child's safety. Little Nemo becomes so frustrating with his dad's obsession with buffering him from the outside world, that he makes some risky decisions and ends up in a dangerous situation.
Although this example has a happy Hollywood ending, this is not always the case for every day examples, like my husband and our two sons. In my house, the parental stereotypes are flip-flopped; I encourage my kids to take more risks and push them harder to do things that scare them, while my husband is overly cautious and worries enough for the both of us. It' just his nature to be more concerned with dangers, so he has to fight against those tendencies in order to support our boys in a positive way that doesn't cross the line into overbearing.
To give your child what they need to be successful at problem solving and taking chances, notice how these seven results of overprotective dads can effect their sons from childhood and beyond.