As if Ashton Kutcher hasn’t done enough incredible things for entertainment and the community, he has also played an important role in the shift from traditional gender roles to modern realities.
With help from Kutcher and his “Change” campaign, Obama signed the BABIES Act into law. This act required all restrooms in publicly accessible federal buildings to contain baby changing tables.
The reality of parenting in today’s world is it is no longer just a woman’s job. Men are stepping up and taking equal responsibility in an increasing number of homes. Our society has grown from the traditional ideology of men going off to work in the mornings while the women stay behind to cook, clean and take care of the children. In 2011, the U.S. Census reported that 32% of married fathers are a “regular source of care for their children under the age 15.” This number is up from 26% in 2002.
The importance of this gender role evolution is something we cannot ignore. The BABIES Act was the first of a hopeful series of events that will continue to nurture the long-awaited gender role transformation.
Although the Act requires baby changing tables in federal buildings, there is no law stating the same for all private establishments. Every bathroom should have a baby changing table. Period.
There are so many times men have to search for changing tables and still come up short. Think about the single dads who don’t have the option to hand the baby off to their wife so they can use the women’s restroom. Think about how gay couples with children struggle to find a place to take proper care of their child. It’s nor fair nor is it right.
Doyin Richards, dad and blogger, has been an active advocate for potty equality. “Dads are more involved today than ever,” Richards wrote. “We love our kids and we want to have all of the tools at our disposal that moms have to be the best parents we can be. Equal access to changing tables are a big part of the discussion.”
The solution is simple — businesses should be required to have a baby changing table in every restroom. According to Global Industrial, it costs approximately $200 to install the changing table and takes less than 30 minutes. That’s a small price to pay considering people will always need a place where they can take care of their children.
Although it is a rarity to find changing tables in men’s restrooms, there are also many women’s bathrooms that lack changing tables, which needs to be corrected as well. Forcing a parent to change their child on the floor or go out to a car is inconvenient and unnecessary.
Times are changing, and we have to hold our government and businesses responsible to keep up with change. A future filled with involved parents looks bright and shouldn’t be discouraged due to inconvenience. No matter how long it takes, we should never stop pushing for advancement and never stop encouraging parents. So, you go, Ashton Kutcher. Thank you for shedding light on an issue that often gets overlooked. When it comes down to it, men’s public restrooms are not fit for the modern dad and we must stand for change.
Casey Pimentel is an 18-year-old mass communication freshman from The Woodlands, Texas.
Opinion: Male bathrooms should be required to have baby changing tables
March 28, 2017