‘Parents should ask before changing baby’s nappy’: ABC commentator

PC has well and truly taken hold in Australia if a recent interview on ABC News is to go by.

Appearing in a recent segment on the national broadcaster, Author and educator Deanne Carson went viral for all the wrong reasons when she said parents should ask newborn babies for consent before changing their dirty nappies. Carson, who regularly works with families and children, appeared on the show to offer her expertise on families exisiting in a culture of consent.

She explained she works with newborns to help them feel comfortable and confident in their own bodies. Apparently, this includes checking with a baby before you change smelly nappies. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaCS-QErpT8

“[It’s] about how to set up a culture of consent in their homes. So, ‘I’m going to change your nappy now. Is that okay?’” Carson said. 

“Of course, a baby is not going to respond: ‘Yes mum, that’s awesome! I’d love to have my nappy changed’, but if you leave a space and wait for body language and wait to make eye contact, then you’re letting that child know that their response matters.”

The ABC has received backlash and criticism for airing the segment. It made international headlines and quickly became a subject of debate. 

On Sky News Australia’s Outsiders show, host Ross Dean said it was another example of the ABC’s “leftie lunacy”.

“This is just superb and it was on your ABC earlier this evening, which you paid for this lefty lunacy, have a look,” he told viewers before sharing the segment.

People have also taken to social media to slam Carson’s comments.

One person on Twitter wrote: “To be fair, asking infants for consent to change their diapers sounds absurd. I imagine there are ways to foster a culture of consent that are more common-sense, and less susceptible to ridicule. Let’s focus on those!”

Another comment read: “As a survivor & parent I see where U R coming from BUT use common sense No 2 day old baby can give consent 2 nappy changing. As survivors please don’t give others the platform to ridicule us by going to the extreme! Its difficult enough as it is! [sic]”

A third added: “I don’t think you should be allowed near children – your views are inappropriate for young people. If you want to give talks to people who share your views that’s fine but you shouldn’t be profiting from using this kind of extremism on young minds”.

We really need to calm down. The solution is simple. The day the baby is born, he or she will sign a consent form giving mum and dad permission to change nappies , baths, feeding etc. Why didn't we think of this before?

— Jan Selbourne (@JanSelbourne) May 10, 2018

https://twitter.com/mr_pi5/status/994627604606017536

Carson has since taken to Facebook to explain she has been targeted by trolls over the comments she made.

“I gave an interview the other day about teaching consent to young children. It was in response to the Four Corners episode featuring the incredibly courageous Saxon Mullins,” she said. “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 nappies har har amiright?!) [sic].”

She then chose to post some statistics about child consent.

“For those people I’m posting this. One in three girls, one in seven boys will be sexually assaulted by the time they are eighteen years old,” she wrote. “One in twelve girls will be sexually abused before their sixth birthday. The work we do with children, teachers and parents is international best practice in abuse prevention. It teaches children their rights AND their responsibilities and connects them with people who care and can help. It invites their parents into the discussion and is sensitive to cultural and family values.” 

She said anyone who trolls her is actually speaking out against abuse survivors.

“Troll me all you want, add to your blog inches, but remember that when you do, you are negating the voices of these brave survivors of sexual abuse,” she said.

What do you think? Do you agree with these comments about consent, or do they take things too far?