Gen Z son shocked by how often his friends called their parents: ‘It was horrible’

A single Gen Z man has sparked online debate after revealing he calls his mother several times a day.

In a video, Rustin Vanker said one of his friends called his mother “only” three times a month and another called his parents once a month.

“Honestly, I was a little shocked when I heard how little my friends called their parents and it didn’t really make me want to share how often I do it,” the young man said. 19 years old.

In the TikTok video that garnered 365,000 likes and 2.2 million views, he revealed that he calls his mother, Kristi Vanker, 44, two to three times a day.

“I sat there and thought oh wow…this is a bit embarrassing,” he said. News week. “I know it’s a little unusual for a guy like me to call his mom as much as I do, but we really have an amazing relationship and I love getting her advice on things.”

According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in late 2023, about 46% of young adults, that is, those aged 18 to 34, reported speaking with their parents several times a week, and 14% reported doing so once. times a day. The survey drew results from a sample of 4,512 American adults.

Vanker’s friends were quite judgmental about how often he spoke with his parents, he said.

In the video, he said: “Aren’t we supposed to call our parents? Because everyone looked down on him a little bit, like you call your mom so many times?

“I was like, why not? I’m going to get some good advice, have a good time, oh man, I felt bad about myself.”

He shared that his relationship status and boredom played a role in constant communication and he explained that his cousin and brother have girlfriends, which means he doesn’t call them as often.

“I’m so fucking single!” he said.

Many netizens said they don’t call their parents often.

One TikTok user commented: “I have a great relationship with my parents, but I talk to them randomly, I’ll spend months there. Idk, I have 3 kids, my wife’s work time is passing.”

Emily Gray commented: “I can’t remember the last time I called any of mine.”

“I call anyone if someone has died,” another user said.

But several commenters offered their support, saying they also call their mothers all the time.

One user said: “Yeah, I call my mom 3 to 10 times a day.”

Another added: “I call my mom twice a day ahhahahaha I’m not ashamed at all.”

Christina said: “I call my mother 3 times a week, without shame. At least one day a month, a full day.”

Simma said: “When I lived in a different state from my parents, my mother would beg me to find a boyfriend so I would stop calling her.”

Vanker said the positive response online was extremely encouraging.

“It was also a little sad to see how many moms were commenting, wishing their kids would call more often, which was really eye-opening to know that when I call, it’s not a burden or nuisance to my parents” , did he declare.