You didn't need that did you?
Dec 07 '00
When I was pregnant with my daughter nearly 4 years ago, I had a mindset that circumcision was no discussion. Had she been a boy, she would have been circumcised.
After my daughter was born, we got our first computer and I was introduced to the internet. What does this have to do with anything you ask? I research EVERYTHING on the internet. I can pull up medical journals and statements made by the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) or the AMA (American Medical Association). I can see what scientists and researchers have concluded through various studies...all without leaving my chair.
On circumcision, the AAP's latest statement is as follows:
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS
Task Force on Circumcision
Existing scientific evidence demonstrates potential medical benefits of newborn male circumcision; however, these data are not sufficient to recommend routine neonatal circumcision. In circumstances in which there are potential benefits and risks, yet the procedure is not essential to the child's current well-being, parents should determine what is in the best interest of the child. To make an informed choice, parents of all male infants should be given accurate and unbiased information and be provided the opportunity to discuss this decision. If a decision for circumcision is made, procedural analgesia should be provided.
http://www.aap.org/policy/re9850.html
AMA Statements:
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/article/2036-2511.html
With my second pregnancy, I wanted to know more. It wasn't enough that circumcision was something that was just done or that it was believed that it was healthier for males. I had to know why. Here's what my research pulled up and why I decided to keep my son intact:
Only 60% of our population chooses to circumcise in the modern day versus 90% in the 70's.
Why is this? More research has shown that circumcision is not a necessary procedure. It is more or less for cosmetic purposes or religious purposes. Some parents elect to have the procedure done because daddy is circ'd and they want the son to look like him. This is not logical though. A child can look different from their parents in many other ways as well. You can always explain to him later on that when daddy was younger, we didn't know as much as we know now. It is my opinion that he will respect you more for this reasoning when he is older. The locker room theory can not hold water either. Since the %'s are nearly equal, there would be good mix of boys who are intact and boys who are not. Besides, that foreskin gives them a little extra! ;0)
The risks associated with non-circumcised boys vs. the risks associated with the circ. procedure itself are about the same % wise.
I have seen multitudes of pictures and even infants in real life that had botched circumcisions. There are many Dr's not doing it properly or not using anesthesia while performing the procedure. In my opinion, I would rather face the possibility of a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) which can be treated with antibiotics than to subject my child to a painful surgery that may or may not turn out correctly. It's like saying it's better to take your eyes out if you are likely to be blind. What sense does that make? Besides, you can always cut it off later. You can't get it back once it's gone. (well...ok..there are some really wild, experimental surgeries being done out there for guys that want it back!!! Obviously there is a need for it! Things that make ya go hmmmmm....)
No other country performs routine circumcisions like the U.S. There are other countries out there that perform ritualistic female circumcision on young girls. We frown upon that, yet we do the same thing to our boys. Why? Circumcision on boys actually began as a religious belief. It was said that by circumcising a boy it would deter him from masturbation. Since there are nerve endings in the foreskin, this would seem to be true. By the same token, it is said that un-circumcised boys have more sensitivity during sexual intercourse than boys who are circumcised. This shows that there can be a substantial loss of sexual feelings by cutting off the foreskin. Who are we to decide if our sons will miss this part of their bodies?
No special cleaning or care is needed for an intact penis.
A child needs to be taught good hygiene regardless of the status of his foreskin. It is actually easier to take care of a newborn infant who is not circumcised as he is not traumatized and there is no need for bandage changes.
Circumcision surgery CAN inhibit an infant from developing a strong nursing bond with his mother.
It has been correlated that infants who are circumcised are less likely to nurse as well as boys who are kept intact. The surgery can and does have an adverse affect on many infants. While this surgery is not something they will remember later on in life, it does not mean that it is any less painful at the time.
Pain medication is not always used and even when it is, it may not be effective.
The AMA has stated that pain medication is mandatory for all circ. procedures, but it is left up to the physicians as to what method to use. Some children have actually died from the uses of certain anesthesia. It is really not recommended for a young child to even be given anesthesia.
After reading all of this it was apparent to me that it was not really my decision to make. It is my son's decision. It is his penis therefore his decision. If anything should happen between now and the time he is able to make that decision for himself, then we will deal with it. However, until is becomes necessary and it is proven that it is in fact NECESSARY, then AND ONLY THEN will we make that choice.
Here are some resources that the majority of this information was taken from:
www.cirp.org (Circumcision Information Resource Pages)
www.nocirc.org (National Organization for Circumcision Information Resource Centers)
www.universalway.org/circtruth.html (The Truth About Circumcision)
www.ozemail.com.au/~stormboy/circumcision/circamhist.htm (History)
www.mothersagainstcirc.org (Mother's Against Circ.)
I will close with this quote from George Bernard Shaw:
"Tradition will accustom people to any atrocity."
Are you making an INFORMED decision?
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TheBottomLine
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Member: Miki (and sometimes Lester)
Location: Georgia
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