British parents are backing actor Ashton Kutcher's call for more baby changing facilities in men's public toilets.
Research by a UK-based commercial and domestic cleaning company has found widespread support among both mums and dads for equal facilities in toilets run both by councils and retailers.
The ContractCleaning.co.uk company says that changing attitudes mean that the job of changing baby's soiled nappies is no longer the sole domain of the mother, and considerate businesses should also be making allowances for single dads and 'unconventional' families.
"Ashton Kutcher may be your idea of a pampered Hollywood star, but he's made a valid real-world point," says Contract Cleaning spokesperson Mark Hall. "And our research shows that it's something that dads and put-upon mums would like to see."
In the wake of Kutcher's comments, ContractCleaning.co.uk went out and spoke to real mums and dads about baby-changing facilities when out-and-about around town – in shops, restaurants, cafes, libraries, town halls, and – of course – public toilets.
• 98% of mothers said they would like to see equal facilities in both men's and women's toilets
• The other 2% said they wouldn't trust their husband to do a decent job of changing a nappy on their own
• 78% of dads would like to see baby changing equipment in gents' toilets
• 22% said they were opposed to equal facilities
• 52% of dads said they had used disabled toilets to change baby
• 2% of dads said they had sneaked into a ladies' toilet to change a baby's nappy
"The support is definitely there, not to mention the desperate ends some men have to go through to change a nappy," Mark Hall said. "Both mums and dads say it's something they need in their everyday lives."
ContractCleaning.co.uk says that some retailers have already bowed to demand, and have baby facilities in both ladies' and gents' toilets. Swedish company Ikea comes in for praise with changing tables in all toilets.
Hall urges both stores and councils to consider converting gents' washrooms to allow men to care for their children in the same way as women.
