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The original was posted on /r/AmItheAsshole by /u/Unsure_father123 on 2023-07-27 02:19:23.
I (m37) have a 15 year old son. For context, I have always taught him about personal space and having autonomy over your body. I didn’t get that respect as a kid so I have made sure he knows that.
We were at a family gathering yesterday and his older cousins wouldn’t stop tickling him. I personally feel that he’s tickling someone like that is abusive, but maybe I’m in the wrong.
I tried to get them to stop but they wouldn’t let him get up and finally he told them to get the f*** off of him. Now obviously I know that cursing isn’t the best reaction but in my eyes he was defending himself.
I left with him after because I was upset at my family. He seemed distressed so we went and had ice cream together and it cheered him up.
Since then I’ve been bombarded with messages telling me how I let my son disrespect his cousins and how I need to ground him for doing that. I’ve told them that that’s not happening and I feel like I’m in the right, but I’ve gotten so many messages that I genuinely can’t tell if i’m the asshole. AITA?