Is it normal for dads to touch your thigh? I do not feel comfortable when this is going on.

I wouldn't say that this is atypical, but if it makes you uncomfortable or upset, you are well within your rights to ask him to stop, and to report it to someone if it continues after you've asked. If he truly doesn't mean anything bad by this or didn't think anything of it, he will most likely apologize because he didn't know it made you feel this way and won't do it anymore. If he continues, this is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. In that case, please tell a trusted, trustworthy adult (such as a teacher, nurse, or school guidance counselor) and if none of them will help, I highly encourage you to reach out to the authorities, Child Protective Services/Child Welfare, or another agency who can help you get out of that situation. I am so sorry you are going through this and it is completely valid to feel however upset you may feel about this. I also encourage you to reach out to a Listener if you're feeling confused or conflicted about this. Some of us have been through similar situations and may be able to help you work through your emotions. I hope you have a good day and that this ends easily for you.

No, it absolutely not normal. If you are a minor please talk to a teacher or trusted adult and ask them for help in this situation. That is highly inappropriate for any parent to do. Thank you for coming on here and telling us but it is urgent that you tell a trusted adult. If you are an adult you can also talk to other trusted adults about this, or you could just flat out tell him. Say it makes you uncomfortable and it's weird, and you want this behavior to stop. If he doesn't stop you can always leave said situation. Please don't do any of this if you are a minor though because it might make things worse for you. Just tell a trusted adult.

Every family has their own way of showing compassion towards one another. This could be a hug, a high five, or maybe a touch on the leg. When these patterns are building, it is important to consider how you and your family members feel about the gesture. Some gestures, like giving a pat on the thigh, feels comfortable for the person doing the action but the person receiving it may feel a bit awkward, and that is completely okay. We probably can't assume what's going on in the person's head: whether it's a friendly pat or something more. But, we can consider having a conversation to tell them how we feel about it, because your feelings matter and they are valid enough to make a change if you see fit.