Photo of dad changng son's diaper in public restroom goes viral

A photo of a dad changing his son’s diaper in a public restroom calls for a break of gender role stereotype. The viral post asks for changing tables to be installed in both men and women's’ restrooms.

A photo of a father who was forced to squat in a public restroom while changing his son’s diapers was recently posted on Instagram by @3boys_1goal, with the caption:

“This is a serious post!!! What’s the deal with not having changing tables in men’s bathroom as if we don’t exist!! #FLM #fatherslivesmatter clearly we do this often because look how comfortable my son is. It’s routine to him!!!! Let’s fix this problem! I Kaepernick drop a knee to this issue! @theshaderoom let’s show the innovation of fathers! #squatforchange.”

31-year-old Palmer is a father of three boys ages 1, 7, and 12. He is not new to the diaper changing role that is often associated as a woman’s job, which is why when he is faced with difficulty changing his son’s diaper in a public restroom, he calls out for change on social media. Palmer shared the story behind the photo with Yahoo Lifestyle, saying that they were out to lunch when his little one needed a diaper change.

“We had stopped at Texas Roadhouse for lunch and while my wife ordered food, my son Liam started fussing so I knew it was time for a diaper change. I usually lay Liam down on clothes I keep in the diaper bag or the bag itself, and Isaiah hands me wipes or throws out the dirty diaper.”

Isaiah is Palmer’s eldest son and right-hand man when it comes to changing diapers.

Palmer continued, “people have commented that my wife is ‘lazy’ for not changing our baby’s diaper or that I could have changed him in the car but why should I? Many fathers are present caretakers but either we don’t get recognition or get too much credit for doing basic tasks.”

Times are changing and so are stereotypical roles of parents. In fact, Palmer isn’t the first dad who has raised this concern on social media. Facebook user Chris Boneyard Mau posted a few months back about not having changing tables at men’s bathroom. He said,

“I’m pretty sick of having to change my daughter on a disgusting floor because the only changing table in the place is located in the women’s bathroom. It’s crazy to imagine I know but there are guys who take care of their kids too you [expletive].”

Similarly, an incident that happened at Tim Horton’s raised the concern of a father. However, the event had a positive outcome and the restaurant Tim Horton’s apologized and promised to install changing tables in both genders’ restrooms.