A whirlwind of controversy has erupted around author and educator Deanne Carson after she proposed that parents ask babies for consent before changing their diapers, igniting a heated debate that has split public opinion.

Deanne Carson’s remarks, made during an appearance on ABC News, called for fostering a “culture of consent” at home—encouraging parents to verbally ask their newborns for permission before changing diapers. While some praised her for championing bodily autonomy from the earliest stages of life, others dismissed the idea as unrealistic and absurd.

The clip was later aired on Sky News Australia’s “Outsiders,” where host Rowan Dean harshly criticized the concept, branding it “leftie lunacy” and ridiculing the notion of seeking consent from infants. The broadcast sparked a wave of backlash online, thrusting Carson into the center of a fiery debate and prompting her to defend her stance on social media.

In a Facebook post aimed at silencing her critics, Carson doubled down on the importance of teaching consent from an early age, pointing to troubling sexual assault statistics to emphasize the urgency of her message. Her heartfelt defense, however, only deepened the divide—earning both applause and outrage from the public.

Supporters praised Carson for her commitment to preventing abuse and advocating for children’s rights, viewing her stance as a bold step toward raising more respectful generations. Detractors, on the other hand, slammed her approach as extreme and impractical. Among the harshest critics was former New South Wales Senate candidate Kirralie Smith, who denounced Carson’s idea as “neglect and child abuse,” arguing it ignores the everyday realities of infant care and hygiene.

Amid the backlash, voices of support have risen, with advocacy groups like Facts Without Frenzy rallying behind Carson’s message. They argue her approach reflects global best practices in abuse prevention and equips parents with essential tools for navigating delicate conversations around consent and bodily autonomy.

The controversy has sparked broader reflection on the responsibilities of caregivers and the boundaries of respectful parenting. While some hail Carson’s ideas as a progressive move toward raising empowered, self-aware children, others warn that her suggestions border on the absurd—risking the trivialization of serious issues like sexual assault in the process.

As the debate continues to spark fierce reactions, one thing is undeniable: Carson’s call for consent in early childcare has lit a cultural powder keg. Whether her proposals mark a revolutionary shift in parenting practices or an overzealous misstep remains to be seen. For now, the conversation rages on—driven by passionate voices on both sides and a society still grappling with how best to teach respect, autonomy, and care from the very beginning.