When do Kids Appreciate their Parents?

Kids only start appreciating their parents when they reach the age of 22, a study revealed yesterday (Mon).

Researchers found that after bickering and bust-ups amid teenage years the landmark 21st birthday sparks a change in attitude and an awareness of the importance of their family.

Moving away from home to university or to start work for the first time is also a contributory factor in appreciating parent's role.

The stat emerged in a study of 5,000 families by internet market research firm www.onepoll.com

A quarter of those polled admitted moving out of the family home came as a shock and more than half said they missed the responsibility their parents took for their well-being.

A further 17 per cent said it took going to University to appreciate the support mum and dad gave them on a day to day basis.

''Young children look up to their parents, absorbing everything they say and emulating their behaviour.

''But by the time they reach their teens, they are learning to develop as individuals, which means they naturally push against everything their parents are trying to teach them, and test the boundaries at every opportunity.

''Teenagers are headstrong, emotional and independent, and at this point mum and dad become uncool, stifling and over-protective.

''But when kids leave home and start to fend for themselves, they no longer have to conform to their parent's ways and rebel against their suggested habits.

''This is a point of reflection for most people. And when they start having to make their own decisions about finances, food, relationships and health, this is when they realise the extent of their mum and dad's input to date.

''All of a sudden mum and dad are a force to be reckoned with, they are no longer taken for granted and their advice is suddenly more valuable than anyone else's.''

The poll also revealed for many people, having children was the turning point in their relationship with their parents.

More than a fifth of people experienced a new-found respect for their parents after enduring months of sleepless nights, worrying about childhood illnesses, and learning how to become good parents themselves.

For women 27 emerged as the age they started to listen and take advice from mum and dad about their children, for men it is 29.

In fact, people generally become much more receptive to taking advice from their parents in their mid twenties - with more than 70 per cent admitting they thought they 'knew it all' in their teens.

At this point, people will turn to mum and dad for advice on financial matters, health advice, problems with social life and moving up the property ladder.

A staggering 78 per cent of people said that it wasn't until they settled down themselves they started to realise the hardships their parents had been through.

And 70 per cent said they started to feel they had more in common with their parents when they moved into their own place and found themselves a stable relationship.

Towards the end of our twenties, we are much more likely to thank our parents for the efforts they have made in bringing us up.

A whopping 72 per cent of women and 70 per cent of men said they regularly let their parents know how much they appreciate their support and advice.

And at this point, we are more willing to return our parents efforts by looking after them when they need it.

Four in 10 people admit they often find themselves lending a helping hand, and two thirds say it is about time the shoe was on the other foot.

BREAKDOWN OF RESULTS:
Female Male
Age we start to appreciate our parents 22 22
Age we take relationship advice 24 25
Age we take advice on financial matters 23 25
Age we take advice on our children 27 29
Age we take advice on our work and jobs 23 24
Age we take advice on our social life 24 25
Age we take advice on health matters 21 24
Age we take advice on buying a house 25 28
Age we start worrying about parents
getting older 27 30
Age we start worrying about parents
getting ill / looking after themselves 27 29