In the tapestry of life, one certainty remains: opinions are ubiquitous, and their holders often seek platforms to amplify them. In an era where digital landscapes grant everyone a megaphone, it seems the more unconventional the viewpoint, the louder it echoes across the virtual expanse.
This phenomenon holds true for a particularly unorthodox piece of advice that has garnered attention from corners far and wide. A figure claiming expertise in relationships has sparked debate with a suggestion that borders on the extraordinary: that parents should seek consent prior to changing their infant’s diaper.
‘Sexuality expert’ says parents should ask for baby’s consent when changing nappies.
Yes, really… pic.twitter.com/iR6wUfP87i
— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) May 10, 2018
In a time when discussions around consent are more nuanced and pivotal than ever, navigating these conversations is complex. Yet, the notion of requesting an infant’s permission for a diaper change has struck many as a bridge too far.
Parents, tasked with the relentless demands of child-rearing, find the proposition not just impractical but nearly unfathomable. Diaper changes, though hardly the highlight of parenthood, are indisputably essential for a child’s well-being and comfort. The proposal to add a layer of consent-seeking to this routine task seems to many to stretch the bounds of reason.
‘Sexuality expert’ says parents should ask for baby’s consent when changing nappies.
Yes, really… pic.twitter.com/iR6wUfP87i
— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) May 10, 2018
The proponent of this idea is Deanne Carson, who identifies herself as a sexuality educator, speaker, and author. Carson’s perspectives gained a wider audience following a 2018 appearance on ABC, where she advocated for introducing the concept of consent early in a child’s life, ideally beginning at an age far younger than the typically suggested threshold of three years.
Carson acknowledges the obvious challenge her advice presents: infants lack the capacity for verbal consent. However, she argues, they are capable of nonverbal communication—through eye contact and other cues—that parents can interpret as assent or refusal.
Her approach aims to cultivate an environment where consent is foundational, advising caregivers to announce their intention to change the diaper and then pause, allowing the child a moment to process and respond through body language.
The response to Carson’s interview, particularly from the journalists present, underscored the skepticism her advice has met. Questions arose immediately about the practical implications, especially regarding how parents should proceed in the face of what might be interpreted as a nonverbal “no.”
‘Sexuality expert’ says parents should ask for baby’s consent when changing nappies.
Yes, really… pic.twitter.com/iR6wUfP87i
— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) May 10, 2018
This guidance, while undoubtedly well-intentioned in its aim to foster a culture of respect and consent from the earliest stages of life, has ignited a mix of curiosity, bemusement, and outright disbelief. As society grapples with the evolving understanding of consent, Carson’s proposal serves as a provocative talking point, challenging conventional parenting norms and sparking dialogue on the nature of autonomy, respect, and care in the familial setting.
