What is the critical distinction between providing support and enabling dependency?

The critical distinction between providing support and enabling dependency lies in whether the actions taken empower the individual to become more self-sufficient or perpetuate their reliance on others. Providing support involves offering assistance, resources, and encouragement that help the person develop their own skills, problem-solving abilities, and independence. The goal is to equip them to handle future challenges on their own. Enabling dependency, on the other hand, involves doing things for the person that they are capable of doing themselves, or shielding them from the consequences of their actions. This prevents them from learning and growing, and it reinforces their reliance on you. For example, helping someone prepare for a job interview by providing feedback on their resume and practicing mock interviews is providing support. Constantly writing their cover letters and filling out their applications for them is enabling dependency.