This picture was deleted by Facebook for violating nudity guidelines, and was later reposted. (Facebook/Heather Whitten)
A picture of a father cradling his ill son in the shower has prompted a debate after it was removed by Facebook for violating their nudity policy. Before being taken down, the photo went viral with over 31,700 shares and opinion was sharply divided on whether it was inappropriate or a beautiful moment between a father and his child.
After being deleted from Facebook, it was reposted by the mother, Heather Whitten, who explained that that her son Fox had been sick with Salmonella poisoning and that his father had to sit in the shower with him to calm down the recurring fever.
This is the picture - moving or offensive?
A month ago, a similar picture was posted by photographer Kelli Bannister on her Facebook page The Barefoot Mum. It showed her in the shower, holding her baby daughter Summer who was ill and frantic with coughing.
The caption explained how sometimes a mother goes through extreme emotions while bringing up a child. Ms Bannister wrote, "This morning as Summer was coughing, being sick and working herself up into a frenzy, my Mumma instincts kicked in and I put us both in the shower, with the soothing sound of running water and the warmth touching our skin, she was calm within minutes......then, my 5 year old came in and snapped this!! Such a raw emotive moment of Motherhood in all her glory."
After the Whittens' picture provoked controversy, Ms Bannister wrote a beautiful note in support of the picture on her own account: "As you all know, I too had my shower image go viral with majority of the feedback extremely positive. I see nothing but a powerful image filled with love, care & tenderness captured of a Father doing what he can to help ease his son's pain, and it's magical!"