A viral photo of a father in Jacksonville, Florida using his knees as a changing table in a men's restroom has sparked debate on how men should factor into childcare, as well as a whole lot of dad appreciation.
The photo, which was apparently taken by one of the man's children, shows Donte Palmer squatting against a bathroom wall and using his knees to prop up his son as he changes his nappy. The photo quickly went viral, with Palmer drawing praise for his commitment to parenting, as well as his mean squat game.
More than anything, it spurred on debate about whether or not men's restrooms should have changing tables, and - beyond that - why changing tables are only in women's restrooms in the first place.
Speaking to News4Jax in the States, Palmer said "Fathers, we aren’t highlighted like we should be," he said. "And I just want to bring that view and that light to us fathers, because we do matter and we do exist, and we’re willing to do more than just provide and protect".
He stressed that the discussion we should be having is whether or not we value father's as much as mothers, and whether we should share the responsibilities of parenting between them.
Central to this is the question of how we perform parenthood. No one is doubting that dad's change their fair share of nappies, do a lot of midnight feeding and everything else a child needs, but it's about what message we put across in public. Why are there only changing tables in women's bathrooms? What are we saying about our expectations of parenting?
Palmer is taking the attention his photo has drummed up and putting it into action with the 'Squat for Change'. "Regardless of race, regardless of size, or regardless of financial status, you know, we are fathers at the end of the day", he said, "and we will do anything to protect and to nurture our babies."
The outpouring of support and solidarity Palmer has received totally overwhelmed him, bringing out the softer sides of dads around the world.
"I mean, dads are like – it’s like when dads come together, it’s like a big teddy bear you get on Valentine’s Day. It’s like, all love, you know?"
