Whether or not you know your wife's social security number may not be important. But knowing her birth date or her shoe size might be, as so many things get relegated to unimportance. Other things like stock prices, super bowl scores, before and after surgery size of some of Hollywood's more famous plastic remakes take on a significance that can diminish the understanding our children have for us. Translated, if dad really cares, then dad will find out what's important to me and do something about it. Self-esteem is important, particularly important for those of you who have teenagers.
Teenagers have the highest suicide rate of any age group.
Granted, there may be nothing in a name, but try using it. If there understand you think they are important, maybe they'll talk to you. Listen to them. Show you care by realizing why they no longer want to be called by their Christian name. Be happy they still know it.