Context is essential
For many viewers the image is a touching portrait of parental care
and affection. The reason that father and son were naked was because Fox
had Salmonella poisoning for which he would soon after be hospitalised.
"Thomas had spent hours in the shower with him, trying to keep
his fever down and letting the vomit and diarrhea rinse off of them both
as it came," Whitten wrote in her post accompanying the photo.
"He
was so patient and so loving and so strong with our tiny son in his
lap... I stepped out and grabbed my camera and came back to snap a few
images of it and, of course shared them."
But for some people the
image is inappropriate at best and at worst has undertones of
paedophilia. Whitten has been surprised by this reaction and was shocked
when people posted negative comments about what was for her a beautiful
moment.
"There is nothing sexual or exploitative about this image," she wrote in the initial post. "I was taken aback by how many people missed the story or didn't even look past the nudity to find the story."
More discussion at the
BBC.
Anyone who thinks that image would be sexual has some serious issues. I once spent hours sitting with one of my children as an infant on the living room floor covered by blankets and towels as he vomited and I kept him hydrated, he luckily didn't have a fever or I sure as heck would have been sitting in the tub with him.
ReplyDeleteExactly. The word "projection" springs to mind. That or "concern troll".
ReplyDeleteClever Dad to think of doing this!! And I agree with JDJarvis's first line ~
ReplyDeleteWelcome back!
Shouldn't you be heading to a hospital now, rather than after several hours in the shower, or hours under blankets?
ReplyDeleteNot necessarily doctor. Parents use common sense, the simple fact of a fever and sweating does not always indicate the need for medical treatment. Time needs to be taken to assess the degree of illness at home and if symptoms persist then go to a hospital If they get better it might simply be a viral illness which requires no medical treatment. Medically speaking it is completely appropriate to have a chuild in the shower assisting to mitigate theior fever through radiation of heat. This can prevent febrile seizures as can acetaminophen. It seems "people like you" are always looking to be critical and judge the worst in people who are expressing a problematic situation. You might have noticed that they DID take the child to the hospital and I assume the outcome was favourable as they did not indicate the child had died. So how would your criticism have improved the outcome?
DeleteAfter reading the description, the context is "endangerment of the child's health". If your child is that sick, a doctor visit just might be a bit better than hours in the shower.
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ReplyDeleteThis is fatherhood at it's best. Anyone who sees anything else has it in their own head only.
ReplyDeleteIt is the, 'and, of course shared them' that bothers me.
ReplyDeleteInsufficient care, a father at wits end, a dying child... photo op for me!
All pictures aren't necessary to share publicly...
ReplyDeleteNo, but fortunately, this is one that should..
DeleteEvery-time I've called a doctor about one of my children with a high fever one of the first comments is "Have you tried a bath or shower yet?"
ReplyDeletePoor baby! That's some serious stuff, too, it can kill. Fatherhood is special - and Father's Day is right ahead. Welcome back (missed you).
ReplyDeleteThe child is not naked, he is clothed in his innocence. Likewise the man, is clothed in his concern. Nothing to see here but love.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful reply!
DeleteAbsolutely beautiful photo. I would have taken it too, I actually have a couple like this. But as precious as it is I wouldn't have shared it just because of the thoughts in other's heads whether it is a pedo mentality or simply self righteous judgment.
ReplyDeleteWhy do we try to reduce the symprom of fever? Is it not a part of the bodies natural defence mechanism?
ReplyDeleteYou are quite correct that in the vast majority of cases it is not necessary or advantageous to decrease a mild or moderate fever. Severe fevers (hyperpyrexia) do mandate cooling - but are probably not part of typical salmonella enteritis.
DeleteA fever is a natural body response and there is some therapeutic benefit to a point. After that a child can have febrile seizures which are potentially problematic.
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