Is it normal for a parent to kiss their child? That has been the discourse over the internet after American football quarterback Tom Brady posted photos with his youngest son, Benjamin.
Recently, Brady took to his Instagram stories to share some poolside photos of him and his 13-year-old son. In one photo, his son can be seen sitting on Brady’s lap, accompanied by a caption that says, “Love this boy.” Another photo also showed Brady kissing Benjamin on the back of his neck.
Bruh no fuckin way what is this shit???? pic.twitter.com/2KpSiTrc06
— ۟ (@JaireLockdown) December 30, 2022
Now, while this looks like just a doting father enjoying some quality time with his son during the holiday break, people on the internet were divided over the photo.
Some people found the photo strange and disturbing, arguing what Brady posted was inappropriate.
https://twitter.com/DaequanMiami/status/1608977748177072129?t=IVmGSA8bhbbRAVNeoqaShw&s=19
Point me in the nearest direction where 15 year olds are sitting in they father's lap.
idc this shit is weird. https://t.co/yivFGZjX7v
— ӄɨաɨռɢʟʏ💛💚🔜 Momocon 2024 (@kiwingly) January 2, 2023
https://twitter.com/BTNIGGA2/status/1609059178638614533?t=tdKrigf3ZjYAndUcqebPgA&s=19
People are dragging the OP for saying this is weird but y'all really need to look into Tom Brady's past w physical affection w his son it's insanely weird and something just feels incredibly off about it, it's okay for father son affection but his just feels so off? https://t.co/czY9Ujtslw
— drew | free 🇵🇸 (@vlexterr) January 2, 2023
https://twitter.com/JJettasEra2/status/1608979494920146946?t=woeyIVh1l_9P2iz6jBGNRA&s=19
Others, on the other hand, pointed out that the photo isn’t weird and unusual.
Weird that y’all be sexualizing physical affection between parents and kids.
— I’ve Got Ten Friends And A Crowbar (@matthewxmeehan) December 31, 2022
Why yall make a man loving his kid weird? I swear I hate the internet.
— Edgar Alan Dough🏋🏼♂️📈🅱️ (@edgaralandough) December 31, 2022
The only people mad about this are probably men who grew up fatherless, or their father never showed them affection. Stop creating something that isn’t there. We need more men like this who show affection to their sons. Tell me you grew up fatherless without telling us.
— Taz ☄️💎 (@KingMadTaz) December 31, 2022
His ex-wife is Brazilian.
Their culture can be very affectionate, especially men x men.
You're judging them thru a lens of cold American patriarchy and puritanical xenophobic paranoia
And I don't think the country of mass school shootings is one to talk on "child abuse."
— CHOCKYNILK (@Ofcoursehedoes) December 31, 2022
Mfs sexualizing Tom Brady and his son? Yall stay WEIRD all the time. pic.twitter.com/t3l6jgg9Fb
— Wave-Li. (@WaveyMort) December 31, 2022
This isn’t the first time Brady had faced criticism from the public for kissing his sons.
In Brady’s 2018 Facebook show Tom vs. Time, the football player was under fire when he shared a kiss with his eldest son, Jack.
In the clip, his then-11-year-old son Jack walked into the room when Brady was receiving a massage. His son asked if he could check his “fantasy team,” to which Brady responded, “What do I get?” Jack leaned in to kiss him on the lips.
Brady then told Jack: “That was just a peck.” The kid returned and gave his father another kiss.
This, of course, created the same online buzz as people weighed in on whether Brady is just affectionate or is having an incestuous relationship with his son.
Now, let’s go back to the question: is it normal for parents to kiss their kids on their lips?
Some people may find it unusual, but as many have pointed out, there’s nothing wrong and strange with parents kissing their children. These actions are just among the simple ways they can show their love to their children. In fact, these are common gestures in some cultures.
Parenting expert Roma Khetarpal said that the only reason why this becomes a controversial topic is that people have different personal experiences with outward displays of affection. In fact, kissing on the lips and cheeks is common in European cultures. But of course, parents should also keep in mind that if their own children don’t want or are uncomfortable with kisses, they have to respect them.
Maybe it’s time for some of us to stop sexualizing such simple gestures and lessen our pornography consumption with incest-themed content, perhaps?
Stop watching porn, weirdo https://t.co/yi1CFntnhu pic.twitter.com/6MgK6E255f
— ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴜᴛᴀɴᴛ ๏ғ ๏z (rmdedeca.bsky.social) (@rm_dedeca) January 2, 2023
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