Deanne Carson, a sexuality educator, caused a big argument when she suggested that parents should ask their kids’ permission before changing their nappies. Carson thinks that even though babies can’t say “yes,” their body language and other silent cues can show that they agree.
Carson told ABC News viewers in 2018 that before changing a baby’s nappy, they should ask, “Is it okay?” She told them to wait for eye contact and body language to make the child feel like they were being heard.
But Carson’s method made people wonder. What if the baby’s body language shows that it doesn’t want to do it? When they are dirty, would their parents leave them in it until they “consent”?
Parents quickly spoke out against the plan, calling it “absurd.” People on social media laughed at Carson’s idea, saying that getting permission from children would not work in real life.
Even though there was criticism, some people agreed that teaching agreement was important. Carson’s idea was even taken up by the childcare chain Only About Children, which told parents to ask for help when changing a baby’s nappy.
Some of the things they said were to stimulate babies’ senses and help them become independent. This meant telling children they had to take off their own nappies or wipe themselves.
The conversation shows how hard it is to balance theoretical ideas with parenting in the real world. Consent education is very important, but Carson’s method has made a lot of people doubt whether it can work.
What do you think? Should parents ask their kids if they can change their nappies?