Eddie Murphy might have welcomed his ninth child in May, but there’s still one parenting task the actor refuses to do: diaper duty.
“I don’t change diapers … ’cause I would be horrible at it, and that’s not fair to the child,” the 55-year-old revealed to Extra.
Murphy had his three-month-old daughter, Izzy Oona, with longtime girlfriend Paige Butcher. His eight other kids are all from various relationships.
Eric, 27, and Christian, 25, are the comedian’s eldest sons from separate relationships. Bria, 26, Miles, 23, Shayne, 21, Zola, 16, and Bella, 14 are from Murphy’s 13-year marriage to Nicole Mitchell Murphy. And finally, the actor’s youngest, nine-year-old Angel, was from his relationship with former “Spice Girl” Melanie Brown.
Murphy’s remarks about refusing to change diapers did not sit well with some fans. In the comment section on People, one reader named Tati wrote: “I’m all for parents breaking up duties if it makes it easier for them. But I don’t get the ones who refuse to do it. There is no chore that is too disgusting. and whatever is difficult….you learn it. You don’t leave it to the other parent.”
Others agreed, saying, “Baby has two parents so I dont see why you cant change diapers.”
Unfortunately, Murphy’s comments only perpetuate the stereotype that dads aren’t involved in parenting and are only there to help out when absolutely needed.
Luckily, last year Australian comedian Adam Hills started a trending hashtag on Twitter to combat this. After posting a photo of himself changing his child's dirty nappy and using the hashtag #Smelfie, he encouraged fellow fathers to do the same.
After all, dads change diapers too.
Unsurprisingly, the hashtag exploded with many fathers posting their own hilarious photos, revealing the ups and downs of parenting.
Murphy might want rethink his old-fashioned views.
Also on HuffPost
