Former Davao vice mayor Paolo Duterte has recently been embroiled in a word war with his daughter, Isabelle Duterte, on social media. Their public outburst was also cited by the former vice mayor as one of the reasons for his recent resignation.
Isabelle Duterte called out her father on social media
Isabelle Duterte recently trended on social media after her photoshoot in Malacañang Palace. Source: Facebook.com
Isabelle Duterte, Paolo Duterte’s daughter from his former wife, recently went on Twitter to share her outrage, saying that her father shouldn’t beat up anybody “just because you have a position in the city.”
The Presiden’t granddaughter also wrote in Cebuano, “It’s not that if you have power, you can already hurt people.” She adds, “The one you’re touching is also human!!!! Not only human but a child!!!!”
In response to his daughter’s rants, the former vice mayor shared some posts on his Facebook page challenging his daughter “to change your family name” if she wants.
He added that he doesn’t approve of his daughter’s budding showbiz career, saying “You should really go to school so that your mind would NOT go blank.”
Paolo Duterte resigned as vice mayor
As a result of the social media fiasco, Paolo Duterte has resigned as the vice mayor of Davao City effective yesterday, December 25.
He wrote, “My parents never failed to remind me of the value of time-honored principle of delicadeza, and this is one of those instances of my life that I need to protect my honor and that of my children.”
Duterte also attributed the recent chain of events to his failed first marriage to Lovelie Sumera.
He shared, “The other person in this failed relationship is incorrigible and cannot be controlled. I take responsibility for all that has happened as a result of a wrong decision to marry at a very young age.”
He added that his alleged involvement with the Bureau of Customs smuggling case was another reason for his resignation.
Should parents argue with their kids on social media?
Paolo and Isabelle Duterte’s very public squabble brings to light the question of whether or not families should be arguing on social media.
Unsurprisingly, arguing with your kids in public, such as on social media, is a bad idea. Not only does it cause embarrassment for the family, it also causes an even bigger rift between parent and child.
Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo, Ph.D shares, “A fight in your living room can blow over, but a fight on social media is forever!”
“Because it’s their parent who’s publicly shaming them, kids internalize that as conditional love and it hurts their self-worth.”
She adds, “On the outside, they see this and think it’s normal behavior in relationships and may perpetuate that in their future relationships.”
Child psychologist Arnel Cornblum also adds, “Social media does not solve problems; it perpetuates a back-and-forth that can easily devolve into hurtful statements.”
At the end of the day, what parents need to do is to be more patient and understanding when it comes to their children’s feelings. It’s important for moms and dads to speak from a place of love – not anger – so that their children will listen to what they’re trying to say.
Sources: rappler.com, newsinfo.inquirer.net
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