article: The overbearing and interfering mother-in-law is often jokingly portrayed as most people’s least favourite family member. And now a new poll on modern families reveals this is a reality for almost a quarter of Britons – who said their pet dog was more important to them than their in-laws. Of the 2,071 people surveyed, 22 per cent cited their pets as a close family member, above in-laws (21 per cent) but below grandparents at 26 per cent. Scroll down for video . A new poll on modern families reveals almost a quarter of Brits prefer their pets to their in-laws . The research commissioned by Matalan for its Made for Modern Families campaign also found that the ‘Brady Bunch’ or ‘blended’ household where children had multi-parental figures was also on the rise. More than one in 10 British families now live in ‘blended’ families as more people with children divorce, remarry other parents and their households merge. As a result a fifth of all children – more than the entire population of Birmingham and London combined - have participated in their own parents’ wedding, the poll found. Spending quality time together as a family is still important with 65 per cent saying eating together at a table was one of their favourite family activities and 30 per cent claiming to enjoy playing board games and doing arts and crafts together. Over a third (35 per cent) said that their family’s happiness was their top priority, compared to just 6 per cent who cited money as most important. Mark Earls, a leading behavioural expert and fellow of the Marketing Society, said: ‘Contrary to those who have bemoaned the decline of the family as a key pillar of our society, family is alive and well – it just comes in many more different shapes and sizes than it used to including the “blended’ or “Brady Bunch” family, which consists of one or more adults with their own children and those from previous relationships. The interfering mother-in-law is often jokingly portrayed as most people’s least favourite family member, as in 2004 film Monster-in-Law starring Jane Fonda and Jennifer Lopez . ‘More than one in ten British families have this kind of arrangement. Such a scenario can create a situation in which the age gap between the youngest and eldest child/step-child can be more than a decade, as our survey found. ‘Ultimately, what we want for our families is what we’ve always wanted for those we love - health and happiness. However much the shape and the structures and the participants shift, it seems these same old truths abide. The family is here to stay.’ While the Beckhams were seen by 20 per cent of people questioned as the best representation of the modern family, 16 per cent thought it was Jamie Oliver’s brood, followed by the Jolie-Pitts at 7 per cent. Next in line from the list were Will Smith’s family (4 per cent) and Elton John and David Furnish (3 per cent). The research saw data compiled by YouGov reviewed by Mr Earls for Matalan as part of its commitment to understanding today’s modern families. Jason Hargreaves, Managing Director of Matalan, said: ‘Family life has changed dramatically since we first opened our doors 30 years ago. The demands on parents and families are greater than ever as time is precious, life is faster and pockets are pinched. ‘Family is at the heart of our business and we are committed to being there to help families, whatever their makeup or wherever they’re from, in everything we do.’
highlights: Mother-in-law is often jokingly portrayed as least favourite family member .
  Poll on modern families reveals this is a reality for almost a quarter of Brits .
  They said their pet dog was more important to them than their in-laws .
  Research found households where children had multi-parental figures was also on the rise .
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