David Beckham has once again found himself at the center of public scrutiny after photos emerged of him displaying affectionate gestures toward his 13-year-old daughter, Harper. The images, taken during a family outing, have reignited a longstanding debate about the former footballer’s approach to parenting.
Recently, Beckham attended a soccer match between Inter Miami and Atlanta United in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, alongside his wife, Victoria, their 19-year-old son, Cruz, and their youngest child, Harper. While the game itself was a major attraction, it was Beckham’s interaction with Harper that drew widespread attention. Cameras captured the 48-year-old wrapping his arms around his daughter and giving her a kiss on the cheek. Harper’s playful grimace in response to the affectionate moment quickly became the subject of media coverage.
Public reactions to the photo were divided. While many viewed the gesture as a touching display of fatherly love, others criticized it as being excessive or inappropriate given Harper’s age. One social media user commented, “Sorry, David, it’s time to back off before your loving daughter feels pressured to speak up, which could cause her distress.” Another remarked, “I used to cringe when he kissed her on the lips. Now that she’s older, I hope she sets some boundaries.”
For some, the affectionate moments seemed “over the top.” One person wrote, “Creepy! He’s all over her.” Others suggested Beckham shift his attention elsewhere, saying, “It’s time for his affections to be directed more toward his wife.”
This isn’t the first time Beckham’s parenting style has drawn criticism. In Paris just weeks earlier, the former England captain was seen holding Harper’s hand while walking alongside his son Cruz. While some admired his protective nature, others voiced concerns over whether such displays were age-appropriate.
Beckham has long defended his approach to showing affection toward his children. In interviews, he has emphasized that his actions stem from love and his upbringing. “I’m very affectionate with my kids. It’s how I was raised, and it’s how Victoria and I are with our children,” he once explained. He added, “We want to show our kids love, and we’re very affectionate with them.”
He has also addressed criticism over kissing his children on the lips, a gesture he openly shares on Instagram. “I kiss all my kids on the lips,” Beckham said in a past interview, though he acknowledged that his eldest son, Brooklyn, might find it odd as an adult. “Brooklyn’s 18 now; he might think it’s a bit strange.”
Despite Beckham’s reasoning, the criticism continues. One commenter stated, “Beckham needs to understand that his daughter is growing up quickly. He can’t hug her the same way he did when she was 5.” Another wrote, “Cringeworthy pictures… She looks older than 13, and it comes across as inappropriate.”
Victoria Beckham has also spoken out about the family dynamic, sharing that Harper herself sometimes feels embarrassed by her father’s public displays of affection. While the debate over Beckham’s parenting style rages on, he remains firm in his belief that these moments are nothing more than expressions of love for his children.