The Beckham family drama has continued over the past year, highlighted by Brooklyn's absence from his father, legendary footballer David Beckham's 50th birthday in 5/2025 and recent sharp statements on 19/1.

Instead of criticizing "disrespect" or prying into private lives, many psychologists view this story through the lens of "setting boundaries"—an emotional survival skill many adults struggle with.

Brooklyn Peltz Beckham at the 2024 Met Gala. Photo: Business Insider.

Shruti Jain, a family therapist in London, UK, notes that increasing numbers of people seek professional help due to feeling suffocated by parental interference. The clearest warning sign, she says, is when individuals feel they are no longer living authentically.

"They lose the right to choose simple things, such as colors or dining places, up to major life decisions. When boundaries between parents and children blur, the child struggles to form independent self-esteem," Jain explained.

Experts suggest Brooklyn's decisive actions might be an effort to assert himself as an independent individual, rather than just an extension of family fame. Research from Cambridge University indicates that in families with high parental interference, children often doubt their own worth.

However, setting boundaries does not mean ending love. Charlotte Baden-Powell, a psychotherapist, believes distance is sometimes necessary to create space for understanding. Temporary separation helps both parents and children re-evaluate the relationship from an external perspective, rather than getting caught up in daily trivial arguments.

Separation is even becoming a trend. Data from Cornell University's Family Reconciliation Research Project in the US shows that approximately 27% of adults have cut ties with at least one family member to rebalance their mental health.

"This distance is often not the end. In many cases, relationships are re-established in a healthier and more respectful form," Baden-Powell stated.

Experts advise that complete disengagement should only be a last resort, reserved for situations where the connection causes severe psychological harm and there is no willingness to change from the other party.

By Ngoc Ngan (Source: Business Insider)