Monday, June 27, 2011

circumcision in the media.

It looks like my husband and I are not the only ones who think circumcision is not medically necessary.
Medicaid no longer covers circumcision in eighteen states.
Read the article here.

"That's a good thing, because paying someone to amputate a healthy functional body part from an unconsenting minor is not just a waste of taxpayer money — it's also a violation of human rights."
-Matthew Hess {I couldn't have said it better myself!}

As natural parenting moves into the limelight, controversial topics such as breast feeding in public, cosleeping, cloth diapers, and circumcision are making their way into the media more and more. In fact, circumcision rates are going down rather quickly. In many US hospitals, it is now close to 50/50. Times are changing. Parents are challenging the status quo, instead of blindly doing "what everyone else does"- in all different areas of parenting. I think this is a very good thing.

Are you pregnant and wondering whether or not to have your son circumcised?
I recommend the following links:
Peaceful Parenting's "Are You Fully Informed?" circumcision resource page.
Circumcision Resource Center
Kids Health: Circumcision
Mothers Against Circumcision

{I realize that this is a very touchy subject. I'm not condemning those who chose circumcision. Either way, it's YOUR decision and nobody can tell you what you should or shouldn't do. I just wanted to provide some information and sources for those who may be trying to make this difficult decision. Luckily, I had a wonderful OB who presented me with a bunch of pamplets and printed articles on the subject. I know not everyone is so lucky!}

6 comments:

  1. I just want to thank you for not coming across judgey in your post. It is sometimes hard for me to read things on circumcision because most often, it does come across condemning to those who have circumcised. I wish I had known more or had run across anything that even mentioned circumcising before I had Jack.
    I didn't even know I was having a boy and so when they suddenly asked me in the hospital, I just let my husband choose, and he said yes because he is circumcised. We had no discussion and there wasn't even a second thought about it.
    I am glad to know though that the rates are going down and I hope that when it comes time for my son to have a son, he doesn't choose it for them. Or better yet, that it is considered normal to be UNcircumcised. :)

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  2. Great post. I just wrote a post on circumcision too. My son is circumcised but like the pp, we didn't research it, and I basically let my husband decide. My baby ended up getting penile adhesions which means where he was cut basically grew back together and at 6 months the doctor had to separate it by hand with no drugs. It bled alot. I have alot of regret about circ and not sure if I will do it to future sons. There is also SO much misinformation on uncircumcised penis too. It's ridic. Here is my post on it: http://www.ourgrowinggarden.com/2011/06/circumcision-and-mommy-guilt.html

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  3. You know what really bothers me? How many doctors are uneducated about proper care of an uncircumcised penis. I have come across so many doctors and nurses who would want to forceably retract my son, causing so much unnecessary pain and trauma. I have to stand guard at all well baby checks, the nurse-practitioner asked me last time why I didn't want him retracted and it just made me sad, because you know that parents who don't know better, trust their doctor or nurse, and then they retract and cause the baby a lot of pain.

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  4. I was amazed reading your post ages ago on this same topic that so many people in the states get their sons circumcised.

    It pretty much never happens over here in Australia. I'm not really sure what the difference is. I think Australians tend to be a bit less "traditional" in many respects.

    Interesting topic. Having a girl I didn't even have to think about it this time.

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  5. Rinny- Australia is not alone! The US is the only country with routine circumcision {not for religious reasons}.
    Nicole- that makes me sad, too. It really makes me question their education! Even if you just google caring for an uncircumcised penis, the first thing that will pop up is to NEVER forcibly retract the foreskin and that it will happen naturally sometime in puberty. I'm glad my doctor are familiar with uncircumcised penises. I'll have to remember to stand guard when we move and visit a new doctor!!

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  6. Ahh, once again- we're on the same "natural parenting" page. Had Beatrice Kate been a boy- we would have chosen to NOT circumcise our son. I was shocked at how supportive and for it my husband was!

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-Dr. Seuss