It seems as though it doesn’t matter what you do as a parent these days, someone is always going to criticize you for it.
Get your child gifts? You’re spoiling them. Tell them off in public? You’re being too hard. Choose not to kiss and cuddle them? They’ll grow up emotionally stunted. Regularly engage in displays of affection? You guessed it: there will be someone on hand to tell you you’re doing it wrong.
As a parent, it can be hard to get the balance just right. I can only imagine how much more difficult it must be if you’re a celebrity and the lives of your family are consequently showcased for millions of fans around the world.
If you ask me, there’s no such thing as being too affectionate with your kids. Showing them love and being on hand to cuddle whenever they want or need it can’t be a bad thing in my book.
Yet that’s actually what former soccer star David Beckham is currently being tried for in the court of public opinion, with certain individuals online claiming that he was too affectionate with his daughter, Harper, 12, at a recent soccer game.
Now, we’ll say from the offset that we don’t think this is anything more than a father-daughter duo sharing a sweet moment, but there are apparently people ready to vehemently disagree.
Readers may remember than Beckham inexplicably came under fire on another occasion for kissing his daughter on the lips. Needless to say, we don’t think he should ever have been chastised for that, either.
In any case, the more recent ‘incident’ unfolded as the two Beckhams took in an Inter Miami game (David co-owns the MLS club). Cameras present snapped David and Harper having a cozy moment as the former knelt beside the latter, his arms wrapped lovingly around her waist.
Plenty of people were supportive of the cute father-daughter interaction, but there were unfortunately those online who seemed to think it was inappropriate.
“I find that picture a bit cringe worthy,” one person wrote.
Another added: “Yes put an arm on her shoulder but that’ pictures definitely OTT for me.”
“She’s 13 this year, time to let her be a bit older and stop clinging to her in public. Save the hugs for home,” a third wrote.
A fourth added: “As sweet and innocent as it may be, it’s no longer appropriate anymore. Harper looks like a young woman now.”
See the photo to the left in the tweet below:
As we said earlier on in this article, we don’t see anything wrong with a parent expressing affection for their child, irrespective of age. Obviously there are certain boundaries that should always be respected, but we just can’t see David crossing any of them here.
What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments box!