Select a Category

Revealed: What children and their parents argue about in 2022

New research has revealed the most popular reasons for arguing with our parents – and children – in 2022.

While many of us have great relationships with mum and dad, for others the strain is in evidence whenever we’re together.

For those who live with parents, Covid and its lockdown restrictions posed new challenges, while for others who now live separately, being cut off for long periods, and replacing face-to-face conversations with Zoom calls, has also contributed to friction between many households.

The research, conducted by leading annexe builder iHus, includes relationships between teenagers and mum and dad, and fully-grown children and their more elderly parents.

The top five reasons teenagers argue with their parents:

  1. Time spent on phone
  2. Getting out of and going to bed on time
  3. Eating properly
  4. Sticking to curfews
  5. Cleanliness and hygiene issues

The top five reasons adults argue with their parents:

  1. Grandparenting and parenting techniques
  2. Lack of time together
  3. Gifting and gratitude
  4. Keeping appointments and punctuality
  5. Differing versions of events from past memories

iHus CEO Trevor Smeaton said: “As major promoters of multi-generational living, which, stats tell us, Brits are increasingly turning to in older age to care for elderly parents, we were fascinated to research and identify the reasons we argue with our parents, from teenagers through to adults.

“It’s perhaps no surprise to see phone time and sticking to curfews feature on the teens’ list, while it’s interesting to note that eating properly is now a major bone of contention for parents, who are increasingly conscious of ensuring a proper diet for their children.“For adults, it’s interesting to note that quarrelling over money doesn’t feature on the list, as issues related to finance often drive family members apart. Instead, topics such as parenting and grandparenting techniques are much more talked about, particularly as old methods clash with new.

“Ultimately, families never get along all of the time and the odd argument shouldn’t be seen as cause for concern. And as champions of multi-generational living, we strongly believe that keeping family together is more important now than ever.”

Breaking the stereotype

Previous research conducted by iHus found that Brits are increasingly shedding generational stereotypes, perhaps helping to build – or mend – bridges between parents and their children.

 

  • Facebook users in the UK aged 65 and over more than doubled between 2019 and 20201, while the number of 12-34 year olds on the platform has fallen dramatically2
  • Bingo is proving more popular with Millennials and Generation Z than ever before, with 40 locations across the UK hosting sell-out events geared towards young people in 20213
  • 30% of 16-to-24-year-olds class themselves as “non-drinkers” and are choosing to abstain from alcohol4
  • TV programmes like The Great British Sewing Bee have led to a spike in young knitters, with one online shop reporting a 235 per-cent increase in sales during the pandemic5
  • Nearly two-thirds (65 per-cent) of Brits aged 65 or over now own and regularly use a smartphone, compared to just 3 per-cent ten years ago6