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“Tough Love”: Dad Who Threw 7YO Son Off Cliff Breaks Silence Amid Viral Outrage
Tech mogul turned content creator and outdoor adventurer, Garrett Gee, who went viral for tossing his 7-year-old son off a cliff, has surfaced to defend the controversial move.
Gee posted the video to his Instagram handle on September 12. He cautioned that it was not parental advice but rather a case-specific approach to child rearing and admitted that it could backfire.
Highlights
- A viral video shows tech mogul Garrett Gee tossing his 7-year-old son off a cliff.
- Gee admits the clip “looks terrible” out of context, but says safety was paramount.
- Critics called the move “irresponsible” and “traumatizing” parenting.
The video garnered over 100,000 likes, but not all audiences were impressed, with some calling the move “irresponsible.”
Gee, however, has surfaced to say that he is confident in himself and his wife’s parenting.
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Garret Gee says that people who have been following his journey would know that he believes in safety first
Image credits: garrettgee
Speaking to People in an exclusive, he said: “If somebody came across that video and had only seen that video, then I agree with them.”
“Oh man, this looks terrible, and this father’s pushing their child too much,” Gee empathized with his viewers.
“But anyone who has followed our journey for a longer time, they understand how thoughtful and cautious we are as parents,” he told the outlet.
Image credits: garrettgee
Gee was not completely unaffected by the backlash.
He says that people’s criticism made him sad
“A small part of me felt sad when I would read the comments because you could tell how many people out there didn’t have the opportunity to be pushed by their parents to try new things and stayed within their comfort zone,” he said.
“That’s the best way to live life,” he declared.
Image credits: garrettgee
“When people were very upset or terrified by the video, those were the people whom I thought, ‘I would love to go on an adventure with you and help you try something new.’”
Gee was sure to stick to his guns in the wake of the criticism.
He said, “I’m very confident in who me and my wife are as parents and our intentions and how careful, cautious and loving we are,” and claimed that he understands “the nature of the internet.”
Earlier, critics called Gee out for being irresponsible
Image credits: garrettgee
Previously, outlets reported reactions like “Irresponsible, terrible parenting,” and “He didn’t look happy. He looked traumatized,” referring to Gee’s son Calihan.
“One of my best friends was in the hospital for months from cliff jumping. She broke her back!!! Almost paralyzed! Horrible parenting here!!! Awful!!!!” wrote another.
However, following Gee’s interview with People, the opinion tide has changed.
The tide of opinion is turning in favor of the adventurous father of three
Image credits: garrettgee
“When I heard about this I wasn’t sure what I thought, but after seeing it I think it’s ok,” wrote one person displaying a positive attitude towards the video.
“It seemed like the little boy knew how to swim and his dad was in right after him. I would feel different if the boy could not swim.”
“Now that I’ve seen it I do not understand why so many people are so upset,” echoed another.
View this post on Instagram
“The way people were reacting, I was expecting the drop to be a huge distance to the point of being unsafe.
“Clearly, it is not. I applaud these parents for raising their children to push past their fears even if they need a nudge to conquer them,” the netizen wrote, summing up the changing sentiment.
Gee says he threw his son into the water because he was not confident
In the caption accompanying the controversial video, Gee shared his priorities as safety, “learning that you can do hard things,” and fun.
Image credits: garrettgee
“Well speaking of the top priority, safety..We took our youngest Cali to a cliff height that we knew he would be safe,” he wrote.
“Really the biggest danger would be if he hesitated, didn’t jump far out, and fell down the cliff side.”
Image credits: garrettgee
“So to be extra safe, because he wanted to jump but was not feeling confident.. I threw him,” the father of three explained.
“Eventually, a baby eagle needs to leave the nest… Or be tossed out of the nest ;) and learn HE CAN FLY!” he declared.
Some netizens think it’s pure fun, while others think it’s dangerous
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What do you think ?
Deborah B 2 months ago
My understanding of this from another article was that it was the kid's choice to cliff jump, and his choice to be thrown off by his dad. This wasn't a case of the kid refusing and being thrown off. This was a "Want me to throw you?" situation, where the kid said yes. Was the kid scared? Probrably. Was he hurt, upset, or traumatised? Probrably not. Doing things that scare you is part of growing up. Learning that you can do things that scare you builds confidance.
Ryan Mercer 2 months ago
Yeah, this is total click bait. I guess my one issue with it is that cliff jumping is never truly safe.
Load More Replies...
Mel in Georgia 2 months ago
Ugh, one of my earliest memories (3 maybe?) was of a neighbor letting me go in the neighborhood pool. I did not know how to swim. I remember the panic I felt. This kid would have eventually launched himself, given his abilities and family. It's about doing it on your own. Parents push their kids, both figuratively and literally so much. There is a difference between encouraging and believing in them and saying, "Sink or swim." Maybe I'm soft, but the confidence and joy kids experience when they do things through their own bravery seems more valuable than the survival lessons they learn from being forcefully pushed in the deep.
Mike Barrette 2 months ago
Talk about misplaced outrage. That was the equivalent of throwing him off a dock. No wonder the current generation is inept and afraid of anything that might hurt their fee-fee-feelings.
ninjaTrashPandaBoom 2 months ago
We were told as kids (Gen X) to not come back in from playing unless someone lost consciousness, broke a bone or we could not stop the bleeding (rub some dirt on it). Jumping off docks, cliffs, and rocks just like that one in the video were just something we did every single day.
Load More Replies...
Satan Laughs 2 months ago
I’m 44. Let’s post our ages and see where the divide is. I pulled my kiddo into a Cenote (underground pool of fresh water in near Chichen Itza, Yucatán, Mexico. She wouldn’t jump in like a normal person. It was not cold. It was safe and supervised. Yes, she was mad at me for about a minute. She was then swimming like a fish for a couple of hours and had the time of her life meeting and splashing the other kids who didn’t even speak English. Life vest for wading and floating (we weren’t diving or deep diving.) I knew she was an excellent swimmer, as we had her taken her to swim classes at the community pool as soon as she aged into it. Fast forward to now and she is OBSESSED with marine life and ecology. She wants to ensure fresh water for the world. Wow. What the heck, I just didn’t want to waste money not having her participate in a cruise excursion. Now, career path? Parents know their kids and any negativity towards this dad is based on ignorance on natural human development.
Nikole 2 months ago
I'm 45. If the kid didn't know how to swim, this would be awful, but that's not the case. I was horrified at first, and then I saw how low the cliff was...
Load More Replies...
Lee Gilliland 2 months ago
My kid learned to swim before he could walk, I'm sitting this one out.
Jean Jacket 2 months ago
jfc from the pictures and 'backlash' I thought the dad tossed the kid on to rock. They were cliff diving into water and the kid immediately started swimming. Looks like he's a stronger swimmer than I am. This is ridiculous.
FreeTheUnicorn 2 months ago
That's well above the height of a dive that van break your teeth even with perfect form.
ninjaTrashPandaBoom 2 months ago
What? Did you watch the same Instagram video I did? Maybe if the kid were to dive headfirst into an underwater rock. Notice how he went in feet first and in the post the dad clearly said, "we took our youngest Cali to a cliff height we knew would be safe."
Load More Replies... veirdbuttrue 2 months ago
Anything for insta likes. You can just tell these parents are all about the attention
Deborah B 2 months ago
My understanding of this from another article was that it was the kid's choice to cliff jump, and his choice to be thrown off by his dad. This wasn't a case of the kid refusing and being thrown off. This was a "Want me to throw you?" situation, where the kid said yes. Was the kid scared? Probrably. Was he hurt, upset, or traumatised? Probrably not. Doing things that scare you is part of growing up. Learning that you can do things that scare you builds confidance.
Ryan Mercer 2 months ago
Yeah, this is total click bait. I guess my one issue with it is that cliff jumping is never truly safe.
Load More Replies... Mel in Georgia 2 months ago
Ugh, one of my earliest memories (3 maybe?) was of a neighbor letting me go in the neighborhood pool. I did not know how to swim. I remember the panic I felt. This kid would have eventually launched himself, given his abilities and family. It's about doing it on your own. Parents push their kids, both figuratively and literally so much. There is a difference between encouraging and believing in them and saying, "Sink or swim." Maybe I'm soft, but the confidence and joy kids experience when they do things through their own bravery seems more valuable than the survival lessons they learn from being forcefully pushed in the deep.
Mike Barrette 2 months ago
Talk about misplaced outrage. That was the equivalent of throwing him off a dock. No wonder the current generation is inept and afraid of anything that might hurt their fee-fee-feelings.
ninjaTrashPandaBoom 2 months ago
We were told as kids (Gen X) to not come back in from playing unless someone lost consciousness, broke a bone or we could not stop the bleeding (rub some dirt on it). Jumping off docks, cliffs, and rocks just like that one in the video were just something we did every single day.
Load More Replies... Satan Laughs 2 months ago
I’m 44. Let’s post our ages and see where the divide is. I pulled my kiddo into a Cenote (underground pool of fresh water in near Chichen Itza, Yucatán, Mexico. She wouldn’t jump in like a normal person. It was not cold. It was safe and supervised. Yes, she was mad at me for about a minute. She was then swimming like a fish for a couple of hours and had the time of her life meeting and splashing the other kids who didn’t even speak English. Life vest for wading and floating (we weren’t diving or deep diving.) I knew she was an excellent swimmer, as we had her taken her to swim classes at the community pool as soon as she aged into it. Fast forward to now and she is OBSESSED with marine life and ecology. She wants to ensure fresh water for the world. Wow. What the heck, I just didn’t want to waste money not having her participate in a cruise excursion. Now, career path? Parents know their kids and any negativity towards this dad is based on ignorance on natural human development.
Nikole 2 months ago
I'm 45. If the kid didn't know how to swim, this would be awful, but that's not the case. I was horrified at first, and then I saw how low the cliff was...
Load More Replies... Lee Gilliland 2 months ago
My kid learned to swim before he could walk, I'm sitting this one out.
Jean Jacket 2 months ago
jfc from the pictures and 'backlash' I thought the dad tossed the kid on to rock. They were cliff diving into water and the kid immediately started swimming. Looks like he's a stronger swimmer than I am. This is ridiculous.
FreeTheUnicorn 2 months ago
That's well above the height of a dive that van break your teeth even with perfect form.
ninjaTrashPandaBoom 2 months ago
What? Did you watch the same Instagram video I did? Maybe if the kid were to dive headfirst into an underwater rock. Notice how he went in feet first and in the post the dad clearly said, "we took our youngest Cali to a cliff height we knew would be safe."
Load More Replies... veirdbuttrue 2 months ago
Anything for insta likes. You can just tell these parents are all about the attention
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