In many cases, stepparents can form a close bond with their stepchildren and become more attached than blood relatives. However, actor Shawn Zhang’s (张伦硕) interaction with his stepdaughter sparked debate among netizens.
Over the weekend, actress Christy Chung (钟丽缇) shared a vlog of her attending her daughter Jaden’s high school graduation. Christy’s husband and Jaden’s stepfather, Shawn, and the actress’s youngest daughter, Cayla, also attended the event. The vlog depicts the family cheering on the teenager as she completes her graduation ceremony, with Christy occasionally tearing up over how proud she is of her daughter.
However, the criticism flooded in when Christy, Shawn and Jaden posed for a family photo. As shown in the video, the three posed together, with the teenager standing between her mother and stepfather. Christy and Shawn would then kiss Jaden on her cheeks and on her temple, which is a common pose for family members. Unfortunately, the move sparked backlash towards Shawn, with netizens calling him out for lacking a sense of boundaries.
Many argued that the pose was inappropriate, even claiming it was too intimate, since Jaden is now 18 years old and Shawn isn’t her biological father. Some even lamented that the actor should maintain an appropriate distance from his stepdaughter, now that she’s becoming an adult. However, many defended Shawn and his actions, saying the scene showcased their family-like bond, despite not being biologically related.
It’s worth noting that Christy and Shawn have been married for 10 years, meaning he has been Jaden’s stepfather since she was 8 years old. Meanwhile, Christy and Jaden’s father, Jon Yen, divorced when Jaden was 3 years old. Christy also previously noted that her daughters have a great relationship with her husband, adding that Jaden and Cayla see Shawn as a “superhero” for his devotion to the family.
While netizens may have good intentions for calling Shawn out for his actions, perhaps it’s best to let the family decide their own boundaries with each other.
Source: XiaoHongShu, China Press, STHeadline
