Asking a child if they have a boyfriend/girlfriend

[CoffeeBreak8]

My FIL asks my children (albeit in a jokey/playful way) if they have a boyfriend or girlfriend at school. I have 2 sons and 1 daughter, all aged between 6 & 9. I can see it makes them feel awkward and leads to them teasing each other. I just think it’s really weird and have replied saying “no they don’t, they just have friends” but he asks every time. Am I being unreasonable finding this question inappropriate?

It’s very old fashioned. But what shocks me more is parents I know encouraging children of ten years boyfriends and inviting them round for
tea!! Madness.

Yes, I did. Eventually escaped

It’s a question based in a culture of low educational and career expectations, basically.

You may be a tad over reaching!

I knew that would be the reaction but, based on a combination of thinking it through, plus my experience of the type of people who ask this question, I honestly believe I’m onto something.

I recall when DD was in primary another parent commenting on how my daughter and her son liked to play together and I said was lovely and maybe we could arrange for them to meet to to play outside if school and next thing she cooing about oo yes, a proper date, and shouting to her kid, hey C were arranging a date for you and H. She then turns to me and says if it goes well, maybe they can go exclusive - they were 6 ffs!!
Had to pull back in the whole plan as creeped me out sexualising six year olds!!

What I don't like about that question is it's so heteronormative, ie asking girls if they have a boyfriend... or asking the boys if they have a girlfriend. Laying down that idea early in their life that that is the expectation. No wonder people struggle to come out.