David Beckham has said that parents should let their children “make mistakes” a day after his son Brooklyn Beckham publicly said he had no interest in reconciling with his family and accused his parents of controlling narratives about their lives.
Speaking on CNBC’s Squawk Box on Tuesday, the former England footballer did not directly address Brooklyn’s claims but spoke about parenting, social media and his children.
“I’ve been able to use my platform and my following for
UNICEF and it’s been the biggest tool to make people aware of what’s going on around the world for children,” Beckham said.
“I’ve tried to do the same with my children to educate them. They make mistakes. Children are allowed to make mistakes. That’s how they learn. So that’s what I try to teach my kids. But you know, you have to sometimes let them make those mistakes as well,” he added.
Beckham’s comments came a day after Brooklyn, 26, posted a lengthy statement on Instagram in which he accused his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, of attempting to control his life and public image.
“I do not want to reconcile with my family,” Brooklyn wrote. “I’m not being controlled, I’m standing up for myself for the first time in my life.”
“For my entire life, my parents have controlled narratives in the press about our family. The performative social media posts, family events and inauthentic relationships have been a fixture of the life I was born into.”
He further alleged that his parents placed “countless lies in the media” to protect what he described as their public image.
He also alleged that his mother “hijacked” his first dance with Nicola and said his wife had been disrespected by his family and excluded from his father’s 50th birthday party.
“My family values public promotion and endorsements above all else. Brand Beckham comes first,” Brooklyn wrote.
“The narrative that my wife controls me is completely backwards. I have been controlled by my parents for most of my life.”
Brooklyn said stepping away from his family had brought him peace and said he and his wife wanted privacy and a life away from media attention.