Photo by Matt Slocum/AP Photo
The
field at University of Phoenix stadium was a sea of hugs and kisses
Sunday night after the New England Patriots pulled off an incredible
victory over the Seattle Seahawks. But one of those kisses has created
quite a stir.
In
the photo, 62-year-old Patriots coach Bill Belichick is kissing his
30-year-old daughter Amanda. In the split-second smooch, caught on
camera by Associated Press photographer Matt Slocum, the two are
puckering up in a manner that seems almost passionate, and of course the
Twitter response came fast and furious. “I hate the Seahawks even more
for giving that game away because it prompted Belichick making out with
his daughter,” wrote @matty_bandziel. “Take a guess. Is this Bill
Belichick’s wife or daughter? (HINT: It’s his daughter, and he’s a
creep),” wrote @mflynn32.
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But
others lauded the photo as a lovely display of family affection. “So
sweet!” wrote @hicksheidi1. And @sophiamckeone writes, “Omg Bill
Belichick obviously just pecked his daughter and that was a bad
picture.”
The
photo is sparking a conversation about whether or not the kiss was
inappropriate, but experts agree that the social media firestorm is
likely tainting a lovely moment. “I think this is a reach for scandal,”
parenting expert and family physician Dr. Deborah Gilboa
tells Yahoo Parenting. “Being able to show affection between adult
parents and their adult kids is lovely, and it’s great if Bill Belichick
has such a positive relationship with his daughter.”
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Family therapist Dr. Paul Hokemeyer
agrees. “This was a moment of jubilation and joy and he is showing his
affection for someone who is clearly very important to him,” Hokemeyer
tells Yahoo Parenting. “It’s important that parents keep and maintain
boundaries with their children, certainly, but in terms of expressing
affection this feels within the realm of normal.”
Hokemeyer
says kisses on the lips between adult parents and children are the norm
in many cultures, and he suggests that in the U.S., it’s usually broken
down by socio-economic lines. “People who are in the upper class are
typically more reserved and kiss on the cheek or hug or shake hands,” he
says. “They are not as demonstrative.”
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Some
famous names are defending the photo, too. “Every time I saw my dad
later in life I would meet him at the airport and he would kiss me on
the lips,” Matt Lauer said on The Today Show Tuesday morning. “Every single time.”
Both
Hokemeyer and Gilboa agree that a smooch between family, no matter how
old, is nothing to get worked up about as long as they have healthy
boundaries and relationships. “Let’s keep this in the context of their
history and relationship, the event, and the joyous celebration,” Dr.
Hokemeyer says. “It was an emotional moment – and this is one quick
snapshot.”
Original post found here: https://www.yahoo.com/parenting/patriots-coach-bill-belichick-under-fire-for-109986670677.html
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