Dad’s Viral Photo Highlights How Often Men Are Forgotten as Fathers

They say, “real men change diapers”—but unfortunately not all bathrooms are created equal to support this. As one dad’s viral photo proves, businesses and public facilities need to step up to the plate —er, changing table—when it comes to supporting dads.

Donte Palmer, a dad to three boys, took to Instagram to vent his frustration over the lack of changing tables in men’s restrooms. The post featured a picture of Palmer squatting on the bathroom floor with his young son laying across his legs as he attempts to change his diaper.

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A post shared by Donte M. Palmer (@realdontepalmer)

Amazingly, his son lays calmly through the process, but the reason for that, as Palmer explains, is that his son has grown all-too-familiar with the uncomfortable position. “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!!!!” Palmer wrote in his now-viral post.

With the rise of more stay-at-home dads in America and a growing ubiquity of gender-neutral bathrooms, changing tables in all bathrooms seems like it should just be a no-brainer at this point. But as Palmer’s post shows, we still have a long way to go so that all parents can feel supported.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Ready Elements via Pixabay

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