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Donte Palmer realized a truth many dads understand: public restrooms usually don’t have baby changing tables in the men’s rooms. In an effort to make changing diapers easier for dads in the UK, he started the Instagram 3boys_1goal and a #Squatforchange campaign. Palmer was inspired to take action after a photo of him leaning uncomfortably against the restroom wall, using his lap as a table to change his son’s diaper, went viral.
Palmer’s campaign goes beyond the unfortunate circumstances of getting pooed on by your children due to lack of a clean, stable surface. His campaign emphasizes that public spaces don’t cater to the loving dads out there, who are just trying to change their kid's diapers.
On the post, he wrote, “What’s the deal with not having changing tables in men’s bathroom as if we don’t exist. Clearly we do this often because look how comfortable my son is. It’s routine to him! Let’s fix this problem!”
After Donte created the hashtag, other dads began weighing in and submitting their own photos that show them struggling to get the job done. He told Metro.co.uk that fathers deserve access to cleaner and easier methods to look after their children.
“Changing tables are important in men’s restrooms because fathers deserve the opportunity to be their best," he said. "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.”
The issue is also gaining attention and support from Hollywood. In 2015, Actor and investor, Ashton Kutcher, launched his own petition to install changing tables in men’s rooms. “I would like my daughter to experience a world where gender doesn't dictate one's responsibility or limit one's opportunity," he said.
"Having changing tables in men's rooms is just a tiny step in the process of rectifying legacy gender discrimination. Men who are aware of this bias want to participate equally in the child care process and our society should support that."
Just one year later, the Bathroom Accessible in Every Situation Act was passed in the US. Your move, UK!
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