NEW YORK — The relationship between a child and their parent is a complex one. During the teenage years, it’s normal for kids to feel like they have nothing in common with their parents. As the years pass by, however, many people slowly start to realize they are much more similar to mom and dad than they ever would have imagined growing up.
Now, a new survey of 2,000 Americans asked respondents about how much of their fathers they see in themselves. As it turns out, the average participant says they really started feeling like their dad at the age of 37. In fact, 68% of all respondents admit with each passing year they feel more and more like dear old dad.
When asked about what specifically they picked up from their fathers, 37% say they learned their grilling and barbecuing skills. Another 35% credit their handy or home maintenance skills to their father.
Meanwhile, 22% has started noticing that they mute TV commercials just like dad used to. One in four say they grunt nowadays while getting off the couch, and another 25% can’t help but fall asleep while watching TV — just like dad would all those years ago.
The research, commissioned by Omaha Steaks, also reveals that 75% of Americans are feeling more appreciative of their fathers lately due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The coronavirus has cleared millions of schedules of over the past few months, so it makes a certain degree of sense that 66% say they talk to their dads more often, and feel closer to them, recently.
On average, Americans have reached out to their dad six times per week during the pandemic, whether that be via phone, text, video chat, etc.
Father’s Day plans for Americans
Of course, Father’s Day is just around the corner, and many respondents say they’re planning on making this year extra special. For instance, the average American is planning on spending close to $100 on a gift this year. Another 10% are going to spend over $200.
As far as presents for dad, most respondents are going to take their father out for a nice dinner, or buy him something expensive like a new tablet or smartwatch. On the other hand, 40% are planning on going for a more practical gift, like socks or tools.
But, what does dad really want? In all, 71% said that a steak dinner is the “perfect Father’s Day gift.” Other top answers for dad’s most desired gifts included beer (36%), whiskey (31%), a phone call from the family (31%), peace and quiet (30%), and sleeping in (23%).
Other common shared traits between fathers and their children were telling corny jokes (28%), telling the kids to “ask your mother” (26%), enjoying mowing the lawn (22%), hating it when the thermostat is adjusted (21%), and finishing everyone’s leftovers at restaurants (18%).
The survey was conducted by OnePoll.
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