It is really not easy to train up a child, parents are really trying. Some of them become over protective out of love and experience.
This is why I am always emphasizing on parents acquiring knowledge on parenting. Some things ought not be done during that phase of a child's life, a little off from what is to be done might result in a serious problem in the life of such a child.
Sorry about your experience, my parents weren't that protective but they had their own shortcoming too. Well, thank God for everything, atleast we learned.