A concerned father’s determination has led to an important upgrade in a Macy’s men’s restroom. Welcome to 2016! While it might seem revolutionary, the reality is that fathers have been sharing parenting responsibilities with their partners for years. Yet, it’s surprising that many men’s restrooms still lack changing tables. One dad decided it was high time for a change and reached out to Macy’s to voice his concerns.
Mark Thompson took his 4-month-old son, Ethan, shopping for Christmas gifts in early December. As he shared with Fox 5 News, Mark was well aware of the necessity of changing diapers before starting a shopping spree. “Every dad knows the drill,” he said. However, he quickly encountered a roadblock: the Macy’s he visited had no changing table in the men’s restroom.
Feeling frustrated, Mark left empty-handed and decided to take action. He penned a letter to Macy’s CEO, Sarah Johnson, detailing his experience. Upon receiving his letter, the company promptly contacted the store manager and initiated changes. “We mobilized a team right away,” said store manager Sam Carter.
In less than a month, a changing table was installed, and the men’s restroom was updated to create a more comfortable environment for fathers. While it’s commendable that Macy’s responded so swiftly, it’s baffling that in 2016, some public restrooms still lack such basic facilities for dads.
Reflecting on the past, Mark recalls that his own father faced similar challenges back in 1982 when he cared for him during the day. It’s been over three decades since then, and with fathers now taking on more active roles in childcare, it’s imperative that public spaces adapt accordingly. Dads shouldn’t have to change their babies in parking lots or on benches.
While this development at Macy’s is certainly a positive one, it raises questions about how readily companies respond to fathers’ concerns compared to mothers’. Many women have raised issues regarding the lack of nursing spaces in public places, only to receive minimal attention. The absence of private areas for mothers to feed their children, apart from restroom stalls, is still a significant concern.
Though nursing spaces differ from changing tables in terms of necessity, both are essential for parents managing their kids outside the home. It would be encouraging to see companies address mothers’ needs as efficiently as Macy’s did for Mark. With their swift actions, hopefully more stores will recognize the importance of updating their facilities.
If you’re interested in learning more about family planning, check out this post from our other blog: this one. For authoritative information on fertility, visit Make a Mom. And for comprehensive resources related to pregnancy and home insemination, the CDC is an excellent guide.
In summary, one father’s letter to Macy’s CEO resulted in significant changes to the men’s restroom, highlighting the ongoing need for public facilities to accommodate modern parenting roles. As fathers become more involved, it’s crucial for businesses to recognize and respond to these evolving needs.