Fathers are among the least likely people to receive a call from their offspring, according to research conducted by Saga.
The financial services provider to the over-50s notes that 97 per cent of people do not regularly speak to their father over the phone.
And nobody at all in Saga’s survey said they regularly call their grandparents.
Instead, work colleagues were more likely to hear their telephone ring, with one per cent of respondents saying they regularly put in a call to their workmates.
Sons fare somewhat better in terms of keeping in touch, with 21 per cent of parents likely to call their offspring of either gender.
The same proportion of grown-up children said that they regularly give their mother a call, singling out fathers as the forgotten relatives.
Regardless of age – whether over or under 50 years – seven per cent of those surveyed said they prefer to call their best friend than one of their relatives.
Those making the calls do not need big news, as one in four pick up the phone simply to talk about what they have done that day.
Many older people could be happy to have a day without the phone ringing, as Saga previously revealed that three-quarters of pensioners choose where to live based on a desire for some peace and quiet.
