Deanne Carson pictured on Australia's ABC news network speaking about consent. | ABC
In a 2018 clip on ABC News Australia, Deanna Carson, who identifies as a sexuality educator, indicated that parents should request consent to change their baby's diapers. Carson, a co-founder of "Body Safety Australia" noted that it’s possible to start teaching children a “culture of consent” while they are still infants, even though they will not use words.
What was her recommendation? She suggested you announce a diaper change is about to occur, and then simply pause, and see if the baby provides any “body language” or “eye contact” that she is ready for a diaper change.
Well-spoken she is not, it is not obvious that the baby will state “Sure mom, that sounds great,” Carson admitted. However, she emphasized to the reporter that it is the process of their response that educates children that their response matters.
The clip casing quickly went viral, and many social media users found it absurd. They criticized the suggestion that crying, uncomfortable baby doesn't already provide enough “feedback” to execute the diaper change.
Carson later responded in a lengthy post on Facebook, offering alarming statistics on child abuse, and insisting that early consent education is a way to prevent it. However, to many, this may simply represent another example of progressive ideology pushing the boundaries of common sense.
References:
https://www.newsweek.com/diaper-ask-baby-permission-changing-says-sexual-consent-expert-918981