Father’s Day may be just around the corner, but if the results of a new study are anything to go by, dads aren’t going to receive the adoration that their partners were showered with on Mother’s Day.
A survey by mobile phone recycler Envirofone shows that doting dads in the UK are being neglected in favour of “more approachable mums”.
In a survey of over 2,000 people 39 per cent admitted that they speak to their parents just once a month.
Of those, more than a quarter stated that they only ever have regular contact with their mother.
It seems that for most, calling your “parents” really means a natter with your mum!
In fact, nearly 70 per cent of those asked said that they preferred to chat to their ma, with reasons such as “she’s more understanding” and “she can hold a conversation better” being given.
For two per cent of the population, chats with mum are preferable to dad dialogue because “she’s a soft touch”.
Conversely, fathers are seen as “more judgemental” and “less interested” in their offsprings’ personal affairs, meaning they’re often given the “conversation cold shoulder”.
Although dads are definitely less popular than mums for a catch-up, Brits are straight on the blower to their old man if they have a question about DIY or electronics. More than five in 10 would always get in touch with their dad if they needed help with a practical task.
Lucy Thompson, brand manager at Envirofone, said: “Poor old dads, they can’t do right for doing wrong! They’re shunned for being ‘too manly’, but pestered as soon as shelves need putting up. This Father’s Day we’re urging Brits to show their dads some love and pick up the phone!”