I grew up in a family where we have always told each other how much we love each other. Every phone call still always ends this way, and whenever we say hello or goodbye, we hug each other. I hug my parents, my children hug my and their grandparents and cousins and aunts and uncles and we are overall a very affectionate family.

Which is why, no doubt, whenever I see other people being affectionate with their children or parents, I don’t in any way find it strange or ‘inappropriate’ as some people seem to do.

Recently, David Beckham found himself on the receiving end of some harsh criticism over how he interacted with his tween daughter, Harper Beckham. The father-daughter duo were photographed recently at a football match in Miami, where proud dad David had brought Harper along to spend the day with him in Fort Lauderdale, to see his team Inter Miami play against St. Louis.

The pair were clearly having a great time together, and at one point, the camera snapped David with his arms around his 12-year-old as they chatted and laughted, even stopping for a moment to pose for a photo.

In other words, a fairly normal dad-and-daughter moment, no?

‘This picture is cringe worthy’

Not according to everyone, it seems. The Daily Mail reported on David and Harper’s sweet interaction, and although a lot of people seemed to love the close bond they clearly have, others seemed to take issue with it.

And, in fact, many used 12-year-old Harper’s age as a reason her dad should apparently not hug her in this manner anymore.

“I find that picture a bit cringe worthy,” one person wrote.

Another person chimed in with:

“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.”

Someone else said:

“She’s getting a little too old for this now. Maybe an arm around her shoulder is more appropriate.”

Honestly, in my opinion – if you manage to sexualise a picture of a dad hugging his daughter, then you are the problem.

Luckily, it seems David, who has also previously come under fire for being affectionate with his kids, could not care less.

The proud dad even posted a selfie of himself and Harper from the match. Captioning the snap, the dad-of-four wrote:

“Didn’t get the 3 points we wanted but I have this little one by my side 🩷 #HarperSeven.