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USA Today via Reuters
Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
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USA Today via Reuters
Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade have built basketball legacies in their families. While fans love watching their youngins develop as players, it does come at a price. Everyone has an opinion on everything. And fans often criticize the NBA stars’ approach to parenting. 3-time Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard faced some of this heat recently. He was in the news for his controversial parenting style that split opinions in the fanbase.
Howard was one of the major NBA stars up until a few years ago. He is known for taking the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals single-handedly. Turns out he might be as tough to his son as he was to his opponents in the NBA.
Howard’s tough parenting style goes viral online
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A video is going around the internet where the NBA veteran can be seen shouting at his son while the 10-year-old works out on a gym machine. Dwight had Darren “Trey” Howard with his former partner Christine Vest. In the video, Howard can be heard telling his son, “I want you to do it until I tell you to stop.”
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via Getty
SHENZHEN, CHINA – OCTOBER 12: #39 Dwight Howard of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during a preseason game as part of 2019 NBA Global Games China at Shenzhen Universiade Center on October 12, 2019 in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
His son can be seen crying during the process while 6’10” Howard screams at him to continue.
Many criticized Dwight Howard for being unnecessarily harsh with his son. While it might not be the best parenting portrayed by the former Laker he still received some support from male influencers.
Dwight Howard evokes mixed reactions from fathers
Amidst the criticism that the basketball star received there were some who came out in Howard’s defense. They saw nothing wrong with him training his child to be tough and push the limits. This user even claimed, “People who think this is bad parenting is why America is going down the tubes.”
People who think this is bad parenting is why America is going down the tubes. Being taught to push even when it’s not fun and it hurts is how you parent resilient and disciplined young men and women! This kid is going to be successful one day because of how his dad pushes him!
— Tim Warren (@Tims_TA) July 7, 2023
While this user thought Dwight was developing his son’s confidence and character, not everyone agreed. Others commented questioning the need for the video to be shared online.
Pushing isn't bad parenting. Hanging him out to dry on social media is bad parenting. Leave your kids out of this mess man. Do whatever you need to do to make him a champion, but there is nothing to be gained by broadcasting it.
— Mikey Miss Blocked Me (@rock082082) July 7, 2023
This idea found some more support in the replies.
Pushing your kids ✅
Recording them breaking down & crying 👎🏾🚩— K. L. Spencer (@KevinSpencer205) July 7, 2023
Still, Howard’s parenting style is a hit among certain men who think it’s absolutely fine to push the limits of their kids.
That’s why these lil Mfs so soft now a days. Y’all are so quick to let them quit. This is great parenting teaching them how to handle adversity.
— BigGroov (@stormGroov) July 7, 2023
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Another user made an interesting comment about why Howard was coming under fire for his parenting.
It’s always blk fathers put under the microscope of parenting.
— ታሪኽ 🇪🇷 (@___rikh) July 7, 2023
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What do you think about this story coming to light? Do you think Howard is in the right? Let us know in the comments below!
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