Being a ‘mummy’s boy’ is better for mental health

Children considered to be “mummy’s boys” and “daddy’s girls” are likely to benefit from higher self-esteem and are less prone to mental health problems during their teenage years, research suggests.

A new study claims that children who form close parental bonds demonstrate more resilience and are 40 per cent less likely to develop mental health problems. The research, carried out by the Marriage Foundation, a think tank, found that boys were also happier when their parents remained married, while girls were more content when being brought up in a “highquality relationship”.