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mistoferin -> RE: Cut or Uncut ? (5/5/2008 12:47:27 PM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: meatcleaver
quote:
ORIGINAL: mistoferin
To no one in particular~
I think that it is odd that the only people on this thread that keep attributing the decisions of parents regarding circumcision to religion are the anti-circumcision folks. Maybe I missed it somewhere but I don't remember seeing anyone on this thread say that they circumcised their child because of some religious dogma. Just saying....
Circumcision is religious in origin and since for a normal healthy male there are no medical grounds to be circumcized, the only other reason I can think of is socialization.
But you could enlighten me to a compelling need for circumcision I am ignorant of.
Circumcision may have had it's roots in religion, but it is not the reason why many people make that choice today.
I have attempted to give you reasons that I feel are important enough that they should be considered in that decision making process. You, granted, do not place the same importance on them that I do. That's ok, it really is. I respect your right to feel as you feel....please do the same.
When I was making the decision on whether or not to circumcise my first born somewhat of a coincidence occurred. My own father, who was then in his 50's, needed to be circumcised because he was having problems medically. Now I have to tell you, my father is the toughest man I have ever met in my life, bar none. When I was growing up he never took time off of work, no matter how sick or injured he was. He fell from a ladder and broke both of his ankles...he was at work the next day. A sign fell on his hands and broke them in a number of places....he was at work the next day. He had rotator cuff surgery...not the arthroscopic kind....he was at work the next day. He was circumcised and he was home for a week in agony like I have never seen before.
That spurred me to research the issue more. When I was done I came away with a knowledge that yes, problems can and do arise that would necessitate the surgery later in life. Complication rates go way up. Now you may say that it isn't right to take action against something that may never come to be....but that is exactly what Preventive Medicine is. I had it within my power though, to make sure with 100% certainty that my child would never have to go through what I witnessed my father go through with it.
After his surgery....but still before the birth of my son....my mother commented on how she had wished he had had the surgery years ago because he was having so much fun with it since it had healed. I believe her words were that he was like a kid with a new toy. She also told me that he had said that he saw a big increase in sensitivity.
Add into that decision the social factors. Yes, I said that part of the reason for my decision was social. I did not want my son to be any different than any other child in that gym class. I did not want him to feel as though there was something that seperated him from his peers. Life is hard enough as a young teen without having a reason to be ridiculed....and like it or not....kids are cruel. I did not want there to be any reason later in his life that would make it any more difficult for him to meet and partner with a girl. You may see those reasons as wrong but it wasn't your decision. My boys and I are both happy with the decision I made, so while it may be wrong for you.....it was right for us. All I ask is that you respect that.
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