Christmas family photos gone horribly wrong

Should this family photo be deemed just a bit of fun or degrading to women? Photo / Instagram

It's that time of year when we can find ourselves donning glittery reindeer headbands and Santa hats to sidle up with family for an annual festive photo.

For the more creative among us who decide to share family photos online, a barrage of unwelcome commentary can ensue.

This has been the case for two families in particular whose merry messages have not gone down well with the internet.

A man in the US decided printing "ho" T-shirts for his wife and two daughters while he donned a "Chilling with my ho's" version was a great idea.

But reactions on line did not subscribe to his humour.

One Reddit user said they were "creeped out" by a man "calling his daughters his 'Ho's".

Another commented: "The implication that his wife and daughters are whores is pretty strange."

And a US family of five has also come under fire for a photo labelled sexist by social media users.

The "Peace On Earth" snap by Louisiana photographer Hannah Hawkes sparked outrage when it was posted to her Facebook page.

One user commented: "There is absolutely NOTHING comical about having little girls tied up... You used poor judgment and it's incredibly disgusting that you're still standing by this disturbing picture."

Another said: "It wasn't funny and it should have never been taken. Teaching littler girls that they should sit down and shut up [while] teaching little boys that it's okay to silence the women in their life is messed up. Being part of that is messed up."

Despite the controversy, for some it was just a funny family photo with one woman commenting: "'I love this picture... I think it is a very cute idea for a funny Christmas picture..."

Hawkes spoke out against the backlash explaining the family requested the image and that she would never promote violence to women.

"After being silent, now isn't that ironic, I would like to speak! I have been called every name in the book, and have received some very hateful and vulgar comments and messages.

"I would like to say that as a female I do NOT and have never promoted violence to women!' she wrote. "I do not support abuse, or the degradation of women.

"My controversial photo was taken by request by the family, and was in no way meant to promote abuse. This photo was taken with humour in mind, and was meant as a comical Christmas photo. I personally know this family, and have known them for many years.

"They are not abusive to their children in any shape or form. Also, I would like to add that no one was harmed during the process! So everyone have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and MAY GOD BLESS you and yours!"

DO YOU THINK THESE IMAGES ARE JUST A BIT OF FUN OR TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE? TELL US BELOW.

- nzherald.co.nz