A recent survey conducted by the game company Bandai has uncovered some surprising information about how children address their parents as they grow older. From “Papa” and “Mama” to “Otosan” and “Okasan”, the way kids address their parents changes in hilarious and unexpected ways. So sit back, grab a snack, and prepare to have your mind blown as we dive into the world of parenting and language.
According to the survey results, when a child is still a baby, around half of them call their parents “Papa” and “Mama”. But as the child reaches the age of 3-5 years old, “Otosan” and “Okasan” become more popular. By the time the child is 9 years old or older, the majority of fathers are referred to as “Otosan”. Now, you’re probably thinking “What’s the big deal? So kids call their parents different names as they grow older, who cares?” Well, hold on to your seats folks, because it gets even better.
Apparently, if a grownup, particularly a man, continues to use “Papa” and “Mama”, people may suspect that he has some sort of mental problem. That’s right, folks. If you’re a grown man and you still call your dad “Papa”, people might think you’re a few cards short of a deck. So, if you’re a grown man and you’re reading this, we suggest you start calling your dad “Otosan” ASAP.
But wait, there’s more! The survey also revealed that the usage of terms for parents changes as the child grows older. For infants aged 0-2 years old, “Papa” is used by 52.7% of the children while “Mama” is used by 48.8%. For children aged 3-5 years old, “Otosan” is used by 40% of the children while “Papa” is still used by 37%. And for children aged 9 years old and above, “Otosan” is the most popular term used by 68% of the children while “Papa” is only used by 14.2%.
It’s worth noting that the usage of these terms is not limited to Japan and is also observed in other languages such as English. In the United States, young children often use “Mommy” and “Daddy” but as they grow older, they tend to switch to “Mom” and “Dad”. However, girls may continue to use “Daddy” for their entire lives while boys do not.
Overall, it is clear that the way children address their parents changes as they grow older and varies between different cultures and languages. Language is indeed an interesting thing. So, in conclusion, if you’re a grown man and you still call your dad “Papa”, you might want to start thinking about switching it up to “Otosan” before people start thinking you’re a little loopy. And if you’re a girl, feel free to call your dad “Daddy” for the rest of your life, you’re good!
