Why Ben Affleck Is Letting His Kids Decide Everything

Ben Affleck is making it clear that when it comes to his children, control is not part of the plan. 

The Oscar-winning actor has opened up about why he and ex-wife Jennifer Garner are intentionally stepping back and allowing their kids to shape their own paths. 

From resisting Hollywood pressure to supporting activism and independence, Affleck’s parenting philosophy centers on choice, freedom, and trust, even when that means letting go.

Ben Affleck On Why He Refuses To Push His Kids Into Hollywood

Affleck has been candid about why he doesn’t want his children following him into acting. 

Speaking to E! News at the world premiere of “The Rip” on January 13, Affleck explained that fame complicates parenting. 

“You put something on your children when you have a public life, and that’s complicated,” he said. “We really want to give them room to figure out what they want to do.”

The 53-year-old stressed that the decision is rooted in love, not indifference. 

“I wouldn’t push them into that. They’re brilliant and lovely and wonderful, and we love them, and we’re proud of them,” the actor added, before joking, “and hope that they don’t waste their life acting.” 

For Affleck, the priority is ensuring Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel grow into people who feel empowered to choose their own futures, without the weight of expectation tied to his career.

While acknowledging the advantages his career has given his children, he also reflected on how different his own upbringing was. 

Comparing his past to the lives his kids now lead, Affleck said, “In some way, it was kind of a blessing to anonymity, to struggle, to where we started, which was just in the middle of nowhere.”

Affleck Is Proud As His Daughter Violet Finds Her Own Voice

“We are told by leaders that we are the future. But when it comes to the ongoing pandemic, our present is being stolen right in front of our eyes.”

Incredible speech by Violet Affleck who warned about COVID & Long Covid, & advocated for masks & clean air at the UN today! pic.twitter.com/cSvVaKrNY9

— Dr. Lucky Tran (@luckytran) September 23, 2025

Ben Affleck’s eldest daughter, Violet, has already begun forging her own identity far outside Hollywood. 

Currently studying at Yale University, Violet has turned toward activism, recently delivering a speech at the United Nations focused on mask mandates and clean air initiatives after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are told by leaders across the board that we are the future,” Violet said during her address in September 2025. “But when it comes to the ongoing pandemic, our present is being stolen right in front of our eyes.” 

The 20-year-old continued, “My hope for this event and my belief in this community pressed on the belief that we can, and we must do that again. We can recognize filtered air as a human right, as intuitively as we do filtered water.”

The following month, her proud dad praised her publicly, telling Access Hollywood, “[Violet] takes after her mom. She’s spectacular.” 

He later added, “I could not be more proud of my children. I can’t even tell you.”

Ben Affleck And Jennifer Garner Agree On Letting Kids Choose

Affleck and Garner, who married in 2005 and finalized their divorce in 2018, appear aligned in their parenting approach. 

Garner has echoed her ex-husband’s belief that parents shouldn’t dictate their children’s futures. 

Speaking to Marie Claire UK on Tuesday, she said, “They’re just so cool! Parenting now has shifted. It’s more about parenting with a button on my mouth…. You have to let them grow up and make their choices. You don’t get to control it.”

Garner also spoke openly about how difficult their separation was for the family. 

“The actual breaking up of a family is what was hard,” she said. “Losing a true partnership and friendship is what was hard.” 

Despite that, both parents have emphasized cooperation and mutual respect when it comes to raising their children, prioritizing emotional stability over authority.

Affleck Isn’t Pleased With His Ex-Wife Jennifer Lopez’s Presence Around His Kids, Sources Claim

While Ben Affleck co-parents amicably with Garner, a recent report from The Blast revealed that the filmmaker is reportedly feeling “frustrated” by ex-wife Jennifer Lopez’s ongoing presence around his children.

According to the report, one source revealed that the children feel overwhelmed by the actress being “around all the time.”

They added that the children are craving more normalcy and space from the spotlight and constant celebrity attention. 

Another insider noted that Affleck is doing his best to strike a balance but that the disruption to daily routines has been noticeable, with kids reportedly missing quieter, less public moments at home. 

Despite these tensions, sources stressed that Affleck and Lopez are not rekindling romance, describing them as in a “good place” as co-parents and supportive of each other’s roles. 

Ben Affleck Spotted Shopping With Jennifer Lopez And His Son Samuel

The revelation came days after The Blast reported that Affleck embarked on a public holiday outing that showed a united co-parenting front with Lopez as they stepped out to do festive shopping with his son, Samuel, in Los Angeles. 

On December 21, 2025, the pair were spotted at clothing brands Sezane and then Doen, where they shopped together and later enjoyed lunch alongside Affleck’s 13-year-old son. 

A source revealed that the two seemed “fine” and focused on making the day special for Samuel rather than drawing attention to themselves. 

Photos and reports described the outing as relaxed and family-centered, with Samuel reportedly excited and chatty as they visited several luxury stores to pick up holiday gifts. 

Lopez was attentive and engaged, asking questions and helping choose presents for the kids, while Affleck and Samuel moved between shops together.