It was the peck heard ‘round the world.
In early 2018, the internet essentially experienced a collective meltdown over a few seconds of footage. Tom Brady, the man with seven rings and a diet consisting mostly of grass and discipline, was shown in his Facebook Watch docuseries Tom vs. Time sharing a moment with his eldest son, Jack.
The scene was simple. Brady was lying on a massage table. Jack, then 11, popped in to ask if he could check his fantasy football team. Brady, being the competitive dad he is, jokingly asked, "What do I get?"
Jack gave him a quick peck on the lips. Brady joked it was "just a peck." Jack came back for a longer, more deliberate kiss on the lips before heading out.
And then? Social media absolutely exploded.
Why Tom Brady Kissing Son on Lips Sparked a Firestorm
People didn't just find it unusual; they found it "disturbing," "creepy," and "uncomfortably long." The clip went viral faster than a Super Bowl highlight.
The backlash was intense. You had sports pundits, keyboard warriors, and even casual observers weighing in on the "appropriateness" of a father showing that level of physical affection to his son. It wasn't just about the kiss itself. It was about the duration. It was about the fact that it was on the mouth.
Honestly, the reaction said more about our cultural hang-ups than it did about Brady's parenting.
Cultural Differences and the "Ick" Factor
In many parts of the world—think Italy, Greece, or various Latin American cultures—kissing family members on the lips is as normal as a handshake. It’s a sign of deep bond and affection. But in the U.S. and parts of Northern Europe, there’s a rigid, often unspoken "expiration date" on mouth-to-mouth affection between parents and children.
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Once a kid hits a certain age, usually around five or six, the "cheek only" rule tends to kick in. Brady ignored that rule. He’s always been vocal about his "kissing family." He kisses his dad, Tom Sr., on the lips. He kisses his other kids, Benjamin and Vivian, similarly.
For the Bradys, this isn't a scandal. It’s a Tuesday.
The Psychology of Parental Affection
While the internet was busy clutching its pearls, developmental experts were actually split on the matter.
Some, like psychologist Dr. Charlotte Reznick, have argued in the past that kissing on the lips can be "confusing" for children as they grow older. The argument is basically that the mouth is an erogenous zone and blurring those lines might complicate a child's understanding of boundaries.
But then you have the other side.
Experts like Lyss Stern and various child development researchers point out that physical affection—hugs, kisses, skin-to-skin contact—is foundational for a child’s emotional security. A 2017 study by Allen K. Sabey and colleagues highlighted that physical affection is a massive driver of family resilience and "secure attachment."
Basically, as long as the child is comfortable and there is zero sexual intent (which, let's be real, nobody was seriously accusing Brady of), it’s just a dad loving his kid.
Jack’s Reaction vs. The Viewer’s Reaction
If you watch the footage closely, Jack doesn't look traumatized. He looks like a typical 11-year-old who wants to check his fantasy stats. He does a slight eye-roll after the second kiss, which is the universal sign for "Okay, Dad, you're being extra."
He then immediately goes back to talking football with the massage therapist.
The "weirdness" was entirely projected by the audience. We saw a moment of vulnerability and intimacy and, because it didn't fit the "stoic athlete" mold we've built for men, we collectively recoiled.
The Long Shadow of Being Tom Brady’s Son
Living under the microscope is hard. Raising kids under it is harder.
Brady has recently opened up more about his parenting struggles, especially in a 2024 talk at the Fortune Global Forum. He admitted, "To be a boy, it sucks to be Tom Brady's son in so many ways." He’s aware of the pressure. He knows that every move he makes—and every move they make—is dissected by millions.
He’s also admitted he’s not a perfect parent. He’s "screwed up a lot," in his own words.
But the Tom Brady kissing son on lips moment wasn't a screw-up in his eyes. It was a refusal to let the public's perception of "masculinity" or "normalcy" dictate how he loves his children. He’s doubled down on this several times, even sharing similar affectionate photos in late 2022 while poolside with Jack.
People called it "cringy" again. Brady likely didn't care.
What We Can Learn From the Controversy
Whether you think it's weird or wholesome, the debate highlights a few things about modern parenting:
- Gender Bias: We rarely see this level of outrage when a mother kisses her son or a father kisses his daughter. There is a specific, underlying discomfort with male-to-male affection that often borders on homophobia or "toxic masculinity" expectations.
- Consent Matters: The real "expert" advice here isn't about the lips vs. the cheek. It’s about the child. If a child says "no" or pulls away, that's when the behavior should stop. In the Tom vs. Time clip, Jack was an active participant in the exchange.
- Context is King: We saw ten seconds of a multi-decade relationship. Judging a father's entire character based on a snippet of a documentary is, at best, a reach.
Moving Forward: How to Handle Public Scrutiny as a Parent
You don't have to be an NFL superstar to get judged for your parenting. Whether it's "gentle parenting," "free-range parenting," or just how you show affection, someone always has an opinion.
If you find yourself in the crosshairs of the "parenting police," remember that the only opinions that truly matter are the ones inside your house. Brady’s "go for it" parenting style—which he credits to his own parents—is built on being "dependable and consistent."
If your kids feel safe, loved, and respected, you're probably doing okay. Even if the rest of the world thinks you're "weird."
Actionable Takeaways for Parents
- Audit your boundaries: Talk to your kids (especially as they hit the 10-12 age range) about what kind of affection makes them feel good and what feels "babyish" or uncomfortable to them.
- Challenge your "ick": If you found the Brady clip disturbing, ask yourself why. Is it a safety concern, or is it just a cultural norm you’ve never questioned?
- Prioritize the bond: In a world that's increasingly digital and distant, physical touch (within healthy, consensual bounds) is one of the strongest ways to keep a child grounded.
- Ignore the "noise": If you’re raising your kids with integrity and love, you don't owe the internet—or your neighbors—an explanation for how you express that love.
Brady might be retired from the field, but he’s still in the game when it comes to redefining what a "tough" dad looks like. Sometimes, being tough means being vulnerable enough to kiss your son goodbye, even when the whole world is watching.
Next Steps: You might want to look into the cultural history of the "familial kiss" to see how different societies view physical touch between fathers and sons. Understanding the shift from "common practice" to "taboo" in Western society can provide a lot of perspective on why these viral moments happen in the first place.