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My 12 (almost 13) year old daughter adores me. She is just starting to develop into a young woman. Should I be careful how much I hug her - I don't want to be accused of being some kind of pervert? But I've heard it said that a father's affection will help keep young women from seeking sexual fulfillment with boyfriends...
How could you not hug your own daughter no matter what the age????
Physcial contact, esp. in the UK, appears to be really akward - but what are we if we cannot hold other people?
Yes definitely but not in public 😳
Man - what has the world come to if a father can't hug his daughter...... What are we really suggesting here that every man is a peadophile???
Sure if your daughter doesn't want a hug don't do it - but she's your daughter and surely if she doesn't get physical affection like a hug from her dad won't she go somewhere else and get it??? Perhaps not at 12 but somepoint soon some spotty irk will come on the sceen after just one thing and if she is looking for affection we all know where that might end....
I say hug away - we all need hugs!
Buzz, got to say i tend to agree. I love my girl!
What about the boys though, at what age to we stop showing them that sort of affection?? ❓
I think in the interests of child safety it is very important for a father to have an affectionate relationship with his kids; helps to develop trust, security etc.
I still hug my mum and my dad. The affection my parents, particularly my dad, have shown me has helped cement my respect and love for them. I would never pull away from a hug if that's what my kids needed and wanted.
I agree buzz, hug away!
just wanted to say hug her if she want to be hugged - if she is comfortable with it why shouldn't you be. Girls need dads for all differnat reason to boys. For girls a dad is secuirty, comfort and strength. If she needs you don't be embarresed just hug away. 😀
Buzz, got to say i tend to agree. I love my girl!
What about the boys though, at what age to we stop showing them that sort of affection?? ❓
Never ! if they are comfortable with displays of affection then that cool - when i was 17 my mate matt used to hold hands with his dad down the street - i always though now that is cool - it spoke massivley over their love and comfortableness with one another.
Seems to me that it's all about the kids and how they feel about it.
Howevermuch I want to hug my son, or daughter, I don't think I would do it in unless they were happy about it - but no matter what age, I think that hugging is a very important part of showing how much you care, whatever the rest of the world thinks.
Mind you, even I have thought twice when I've seen an older man walking down the road with his arm around a teenage girl, so I can see where Pablo is coming from.
And I'm really not sure about holding hands with my adult son.....
Someone very close to me was abused by their father. He's male and it affected his relationships and ultimately ended his marriage. He - by the way - has allowed me to use him as an example.
It is one of the saddest situations to have a father question whether he should show affection to his child but this is the world we live in but I think it is an important question to explore.
I believe you should hug her but take into consideration that she IS growing and becoming a woman. Be the best example of a man to her because she will always compare the men in her life to you. Make sure her standards are very high.
And I'm really not sure about holding hands with my adult son.....
It's not very cultural to do that in the UK, but (for instance) in Asia it is very common!
I'm a "men should be men" and "women should be women" type person, I like the difference's in the way we act / react it sets the sexes apart.
So personnally I would not do that when my sons grow up - BUT saying that I do greet blokes with hugs who are good friends...
Not enough hugs in the world. If you have always hugged you will find it easier to continue. My wife and I always hug and especially when one of us is leaving the house. Although our kids are young they will always hug us and (you guessed it) especially when they leave the house. Have you ever noticed how a hug brightens people up.