it’s 2018 and we’re doing away with archaic attitudes to parenting but some facilities are still catching up. We’re probably not aware of the way public spaces enforce gender norms but more often than not it’s women’s toilets that are equipped with baby changing tables. Even the symbol shows a woman (in a dress) crouching over a baby as she changes the nappy. Dad Donte Palmer, who runs Instagram account Three Boys One Goal, has started a campaign #Squatforchange after a picture of him changing his son’s nappy went viral.
Backed up against a wall, and kneeling down, he was spotted using his lap as a make-shift table. Not only is it uncomfortable (and risks getting poop on your trousers, not nice), he argues it reinforces the idea that caring for a child is a mum’s duty. ‘What’s the deal with not having changing tables in men’s bathroom as if we don’t exist,’ he wrote on the post. ‘Clearly we do this often because look how comfortable my son is. It’s routine to him! Let’s fix this problem!’ Donte has since started the hashtag on Instagram and other dads are submitting their own pictures of kneeling for their children.
‘Changing tables are important in men’s restrooms because fathers deserve the opportunity to be their best,’ Donte told Metro.co.uk. ‘I believe that fathers should be facilitated equally to mothers. Ultimately fathers need changing tables so babies can be changed in sanitary conditions. With the movement being in full force I do believe change will happen not only in the country but around the world.’ ‘I believe we as fathers need resources to take care of our babies.’