On the controlling parents thing, I do have to say that usually when a kid is addressing their own parents as sir/ma'am rather than Mom/Dad you're at the least dealing with a very traditional family, and that often does seem to be forced. Not always, but it always seems a little strange to hear children address their parents that way in the course of ordinary conversation.
I think the only time I ever addressed my parents as sir/ma'am was when I was quite small and in very serious trouble. They certainly never asked me to . . . it was too formal. They were always Mom and Dad (still are). Although it was fashionable when I was growing up in certain circles to address one's parents by their first name, and my parents did NOT approve of that.
I was taught to address all adults other than my parents as sir/ma'am or Mr./Ms. depending on whether I knew their name and also how much older/more important they were. And to use other titles if they had them. For example, a close family friend who was a former judge was always Judge or Sir (although not your Honor).
And largely, I did just pick it up from my parents. They didn't force me. I either imitated them, or one of them would say, call them "blank" and I would. And now its just ingrained.
I think the only time I ever addressed my parents as sir/ma'am was when I was quite small and in very serious trouble. They certainly never asked me to . . . it was too formal. They were always Mom and Dad (still are). Although it was fashionable when I was growing up in certain circles to address one's parents by their first name, and my parents did NOT approve of that.
I was taught to address all adults other than my parents as sir/ma'am or Mr./Ms. depending on whether I knew their name and also how much older/more important they were. And to use other titles if they had them. For example, a close family friend who was a former judge was always Judge or Sir (although not your Honor).
And largely, I did just pick it up from my parents. They didn't force me. I either imitated them, or one of them would say, call them "blank" and I would. And now its just ingrained.