A childcare guru named Deanne Carson has sparked an online firestorm by suggesting that parents should ask their infants for permission before changing their diapers.
Navigating parenthood is no easy feat.
From making critical decisions to dealing with the barrage of opinions on how you’re supposedly messing up, it’s a relentless challenge.
And now, one childcare expert has thrown a new, contentious idea into the mix.
Carson has proposed that parents seek consent from their babies before diaper changes, a notion that has the internet fiercely split.
This idea has many scratching their heads in confusion and disbelief.
One commenter expressed their skepticism: “OK, let’s suspend our disbelief for a bit and assume that month-old babies are fully capable of speech and have an understanding of human rights.
“So, a baby has a poo-filled diaper on but says to whoever is changing it ‘You do not have my permission to change my diaper’, is that parent supposed to risk arrest/neglect charges because they have allowed their child to live in a soiled, dirty diaper for days on end because they don’t have their child’s permission?
“Even if month-old babies could talk, which they cannot, this is the most ridiculous thing I have heard. Parents need to change diapers, to keep their babies clean and healthy.”
Another person chimed in: “Sorry but I have to say that this is so ridiculous. Babies can’t tell you yes or no and that’s why you as the trusted adult do what’s best for the baby.
“Including when they need a diaper change, when you ask your baby ‘Do you want me to change your diaper,’ and they can’t respond or if they do respond with a no… Are you just going to let them walk/lay around in pee and poo?
“That’s neglectful and the child is not the boss they need to be shown and led down the right path such as changing their dirty diapers.”
Carson, who appeared on ABC, left viewers astonished as she discussed the concept of establishing a culture of consent starting in infancy.
The ‘sexuality educator, speaker and author’ mentioned: “We work with children from three years old. We work from parents from birth.”
She elaborated: “[It’s] just about how to set up a culture of consent in their homes so ‘I’m going to change your diaper now, is that OK’.”
While Carson recognized that babies are unable to provide verbal consent, she argued that consent could be understood through body language and eye contact, thereby showing the child that their reactions are valued.
In response to the backlash, Carson addressed her critics in a Facebook post, stating: “Sadly, some people have chosen to ridicule me (oh no! Pink hair! Must be a lesbian!) and the notion of giving infants bodily autonomy (poo in diapers har har am I right?).
“The work we do with children, teachers and parents is the international best practice in abuse prevention.”