Guys, if you want to get the girl, try bringing flowers — to her mother. Winning over mom may sound old-fashioned, but it’s still a smart strategy in today’s fast-changing world of dating. In a new research, 6 in 10 young women say when they’re thinking of getting serious with somebody, their mother’s approval is “extremely” or “very” important.
“She makes the call,” said Jessica Wilhelm, a 19-year-old college student. Wilhelm said she learned her lesson in high school when she tried going out with the guy her parents don’t want. “It’s not a good idea. It doesn’t go smoothly for anybody.”
Indeed, 4 in 10 young women say they would consider breaking up with someone their mom didn’t like. And 16 percent say they’ve actually given up a guy for that reason. In contrast, a mere 6 percent of the young women, ages 18 to 29, say their mother’s opinion of their dates matters “not at all.” Sons worry a little less about what mom thinks. Still, half of men under 30 say her approval is extremely or very important when a relationship might get serious.
Half of young women and nearly 40 percent of young men put high importance on dad’s opinion when a romance is getting serious. Kelsley Broomfield, 21, said her parents use different tactics when sizing up boyfriend. Her mother, always friendly and chatty, asks the what-do-you-want-to-do-with-your-life questions. Dad listens and doesn’t say much, but he’ll signal his opinion later with some influential comments.
While few parents say they want a lot of control over their grown children’s love lives, fewer than 6 in 10 parents believe they have, or will have, any influence at all. Some may be underestimating their lifetime influence, however.
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