As the child grows, independence develops. A student begins to ask interesting research questions with minimal prompting and can set the direction of the next week's work. The advisor still plays a crucial role as catalyst and evaluator of ideas. As adolescence sets in, conflicts arise. The student realizes that all too soon, school days will end, and it will be essential to be able to function on one's own.
Independence is frightening, but dependence is resented, and frustration can run high.
In adulthood, parent and child redefine the relationship. The process of graduate school should transform the advisor's student into the advisor's colleague. The two may or may not continue to collaborate after the student graduates, but future contact is ideally built on mutual respect, gratitude from the student to the advisor for the professional formation, and pride of the advisor in the student's accomplishments. It is important that the advisor and advisee develop a compatible working style. Others rely on chance encounters in the hall.