Australian sexuality expert Deanne Carson elicited strong reactions and ridicule online after suggesting that parents should first seek consent from their baby before a diaper change.
Carson's TV interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation went viral on the Internet as her statements sparked debates on parenting and political ideologies.
The sexuality expert was explaining how parents could teach "a culture of consent" to their children early on if they make the habit of asking their newborns if it's OK to change their diaper.
"Of course, a baby's not going to respond, 'Yes Mom, that's awesome, I'd love to have my nappy changed,'" Carson explained. "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," she added.
Other news agencies, however, quickly picked up on Carson's statement. Sky News Australia anchor Rowan Dean took a jab at Carson on his show "Outsiders" by calling her views "leftie lunacy." Australia's shock jock Michael Smith also posted Carson's interview on his site.
Some commenters wondered if Carson was meaning that parents could not change their baby's diaper if they did not consent to it.
Viewers also pointed out that ABC paid Carson to air her opinion and questioned how the government-funded network was spending taxpayers' dollars.
Carson, who heads Body Safety Australia, issued a statement to address her critics, according to News Corp Australia, in which she clarified that her point was about listening to children's responses.
"The work we do with children, teachers and parents is international best practice in abuse prevention," she said. "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."
