In a remarkably candid interview, football icon Sir David Beckham has publicly reflected on his 'soft' parenting philosophy, a revelation that comes amidst an ongoing and deeply personal family dispute with his eldest son, Brooklyn.
The Heart of the Family Rift
The tension within the Beckham family became publicly apparent in May, when Brooklyn, 26, and his wife Nicola Peltz, 30, notably snubbed David's landmark 50th birthday celebrations. The situation escalated further when Brooklyn's younger brothers, Cruz, 20, and Romeo, 23, unfollowed both Brooklyn and Nicola on Instagram, a clear signal of the deepening divide.
Speaking on James Corden's 'This Life of Mine' podcast in an episode released this Tuesday, David, 50, opened up about his approach to fatherhood, consciously choosing a path different from the 'tough love' he received from his own father, Ted.
A 'Softer' Approach to Parenthood
'I would like to say that I brought my children up with the same values as what my dad and mum taught me and my sisters,' the former England captain stated. He proudly added, 'My kids are very polite. My kids are very well mannered. My kids are humble and they all have the same values as what I have and my wife has. That's the proudest thing that we have as parents, in all honesty.'
David, who shares four children – Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz, and Harper, 14 – with his wife Victoria Beckham, was clear about his methodology. 'I am different with my kids - I'm a lot softer than my dad was,' he confessed, though he acknowledged inheriting 'certain traits' from his father.
The interview, recorded last year, was released against a backdrop of continued strain. The rift was thrown into sharp relief last month when Brooklyn was conspicuously absent from his father's knighthood ceremony at Windsor Castle. Reports suggest the aspiring chef did not contact his father to congratulate him, instead choosing to promote his Cloud23 hot sauce brand on the significant day.
Family Values and Quiet Discipline
Despite the current difficulties with his eldest, David was effusive in his praise for his family unit. He credited Victoria, 51, as the foundation of their family, saying, 'Family has always been important and the greatest thing [Victoria] has ever given me is my four children.'
He also revealed his own subtle method of discipline, a departure from his father's more rigid style. When asked how he reacted when his sons – all of whom trained with the Arsenal Academy – performed poorly on the pitch, David said, 'I go quiet, actually. And then the boys know exactly whether I'm happy or not happy.'
He shared a humorous anecdote about his youngest son, Cruz, whom he promised a trip to McDonald's if he played well and worked hard during a match. 'And he played terrible!' David laughed. 'I looked up the field and I was like, "where is Cruz?" And he was literally break dancing at the other end of the pitch.' True to his word, David denied his son the fast-food reward, despite admitting he fancied a 'Big Mac and chips' himself.
Reflecting on his long-standing marriage to Victoria, David highlighted their enduring bond. 'We were only saying it the other day, you know, we actually quite like each other,' he shared. He expressed particular admiration for her strength, noting, 'I didn't realise what a strong woman she was. And that is what really attracted me to her more than anything.'
Victoria herself recently alluded to evolving family dynamics on the 'Call Me Daddy' podcast, emphasising the importance of communication and a 'safe forum' for her children, though she did not mention Brooklyn by name. As the Beckhams navigate this challenging period, David's heartfelt interview offers a poignant glimpse into the family values he holds most dear.
