An Australian “sexuality educator” has sparked widespread debate online by proposing that parents should ask their babies for permission before changing their diapers.

Deanne Carson, who advocates for instilling a “culture of consent” from infancy, has left many people puzzled and curious about the practicality of her approach. Some critics have even joked about whether this logic should extend to asking pets for permission to clean their litter boxes.

In today’s rapidly evolving world of parenting methods, the concept of consent is being introduced in unexpected ways—diaper changes included.

While asking a baby for permission to change a dirty diaper may seem impractical, especially since infants lack the ability to respond verbally, Carson argues that it’s not about receiving an explicit answer but rather about laying the groundwork for respect and personal boundaries from the very beginning.

Building a Foundation for Consent

Carson, who describes herself as a “sexuality educator, speaker, and author,” believes that teaching children about consent should begin at birth. She explains that narrating actions—such as saying, “I’m going to change your diaper now, is that okay?”—and pausing to observe the baby’s body language can help introduce them to the idea of bodily autonomy.

The educator emphasizes that this practice isn’t about waiting for a verbal “yes” but rather fostering trust and communication between parent and child.