In some families, it is not unusual for parents to kiss their children on the mouth as a sign of love. While for the parents this gesture has the same value as a kiss on the cheek, for a three-year-old child the difference is more complicated.
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Kissing your child on the mouth, an innocent gesture, but not recommended
This mark of affection is a matter of debate in our society and among psychiatrists who are studying the impact it may have on the development of a child's future love life.
Psychologist Charlotte Reznick has made up her mind. She is against kissing children on the mouth.
For her, a child is built by mimicry. So being kissed on the mouth by one's parents can ‘create confusing emotional bonds for them,' explains Charlotte Reznick.
Moreover, it is around the age of 4 or 5 that children ‘become aware of their sexuality.’ This gesture will certainly have an impact on their future intimate, sentimental, and sexual life.
Child psychiatrist Stéphane Clerget also agreed with her during an interview:
Kissing on the mouth should remain the privilege of lovers.
‘It is not an incestuous act either’
Obviously, this gesture is not drastic and there is no point in panicking, as psychologist Syrine Slim explains:
While this is not recommended for the reasons previously mentioned, it is not an incestuous or extremely serious act either, so there is no need to dramatise or panic. It is just important to bear in mind that it is not always as commonplace and easy for the child as parents may think. So the best thing to do is to abstain.
David Beckham, a shocking photo with his daughter
Back in June 2017, retired footballer David Beckham made tabloid 'headlines' when he posted a photo on Instagram of himself and his daughter exchanging an innocent daddy-daughter kiss. We'll tell you all about it in the video above.
