If you’re not a huge David Beckham fan or don’t follow UK tabloid talk, you may have missed this one. However, this photo of 4-year-old Harper Beckham with a pacifier (or “dummy” as they’re called in the UK) has blown up on the blogosphere.
It began with criticism by the Daily Mail, and now even the mainstream U.S. media is chiming in on #DummyGate.
From the New York Times to Huffington Post, everyone cites the “experts” who warn pacifiers for older kids can lead to speech or dental issues.
However, it was Beckham’s response on Instagram that hit a nerve with shamed moms everywhere:
Everybody who has children knows that when they aren’t feeling well or have a fever you do what comforts them best and most of the time it’s a pacifier so those who criticize think twice about what you say about other people’s children because actually you have no right to criticize me as a parent …
Influential bloggers like Milk Drunk Diary jumped to the Beckhams’ defense on Twitter and HuffPost.
This all comes at a time when celebrities like the Duff sisters are trying to shine a spotlight on mommy shaming (albeit though a sponsored campaign).
So whats your take? Should #DummyGate be viewed as a public service to educate parents about the dangers of pacifier use? Or should it be seen as a call to action to stop mommy (parent) shaming?
For your reading pleasure:
Parents have spoken out in support of David Beckham, after the 40-year-old and his wife were criticised in a Daily Mail article for allowing their four-year-old daughter Harper to use a dummy. In t
Source: Parents Support David Beckham Over Dummygate: ‘People Are Far Too Quick To Judge Parents’
David Beckham, the global soccer star, defended his 4-year-old’s use of a pacifier after a photo led to parental criticism.
Source: Beckham Defends Daughter’s Pacifier, Stirring Parenting Debate – The New York Times
Merilly trotting along next to her father in a pink sundress, Harper Beckham looks like a confident and content little girl.
Source: David Beckham and Victoria Beckham’s daughter may get ‘speech or dental issues’ | Daily Mail Online
Leave a Reply