I have a dear friend that has a newborn son and is planning on circumcising him very soon, but has not made an appt yet. I told her everything I know about it in the kindest way possible, but I was hoping to find some articles in support of NOT circumcising. Their only reason for doing it is so he will look like daddy.
Thanks!
My grandfather insisted that we circumcise my son. He was in the military, front line, trenches and had "issues" since he was not circumcised. I left it up to my hubby, who is circumcised. He decided that my son would want to look like his daddy. So we did the circumcision and I regreted it horribly. My son was in so much pain for days! Doctors say it doesn't hurt, but what a lie.
The whole looking like daddy thing is bull! I don't think my son has ever seen his daddy's private parts close enough to tell that they are the same or different. If I were given the chance to make that decision again I would scream and yell NO!
Circumcision is a decision our boys can make on thier own when they are older, we really have no right to tamper with thier body in that way.
I know that it may not help you, but I hope that they take your kind words to heart before making this life changing decision for thier son.
I just saw an article about Alicia's baby and came to the site through that. I was just was looking around this site and saw your post. I researched this a lot when my son was born 7 years ago and just wanted to offer some resources that I found helpful- plus a new video that someone posted on facebook recenlty- I wish I had that 7 years. ago!
Child Circumcision: an elephant in the hospital
And there's lots of great info on The Whole Network which is also on Facebook
http://www.thewholenetwork.org/
I'd say those are 2 great places to start. Good luck-- looks like daddy just seems silly to me. They are not really going to look alike anyways- or compare... and it does look the same under the foreskin anyways..... it's just not something parents are going to see since the foreskin doesn't retract (move around) much at birth.
Has Alicia brought up this issue on the blog or site? Pretty much everyone I know around me had intact boys- that's partially because the stats are much closer to 50/50 around here, but also because I tend to know more natural/holistic moms through Holistic Moms and La Leche League.
Good luck with your friend... you might want to support her if she is hesitating... it's okay for her to feel protective etc. The issue is NOT about the dad, and things have changed- jsut like so many other things.
Jessica
both of these are good quick resources about circumcision,
I have 4 uncirced boys and they don't look like their dad. I told my husband that circ's reduce the length by an inch or two (not sure if this exactly true) this sold him on not doing it.
Studies show that on average, intact men have a slightly larger penis size than circumcised men. This is due in part to some circumcisions being tight, and also because there's a (most likely accurate) theory that circumcision damages penile tissues, hindering future growth.
All men think having the biggest junk is important, so mabye this will sway them. Or the fact that only 30% of babies now get circ's.
drmomma.org, there is also Doctors against circumcision.
Foreskin is like the eyelids, why remove them? It would look strange.
I read somewhere that its a 50/50 split of baby boys being circed in the U.S. so it's not so different to be or not to be. My two boys and my nephews have never had any problems either socially or physically for not being circed.