I guess today is Circumcision Day!

[psophia17]

Yay Mods for letting us have at it!

In light of the series of threads, and tangents that they've gone off in, how about a quick and dirty "these are our opinions on circ" thread? Pretty please?

My opinion: to say I'm strongly opposed to circ is to put the mildest possible spin on it. Let's put it this way - if a potential boyfriend wanted to circ potential children, it was a dealbreaker, along with smoking. Yes, I brought it up on first and second dates, just in case. DH, thankfully, didn't have a strong opinion (although he leaned towards wanting to circ), so I got my way. It's my big mommy-drive-by, and I do my best not to talk about it because I don't want to find out that people I like and respect otherwise would do a horrible thing like cut part of their baby off. So I leave it alone as best I can.

What's your opinion, and why?

eta: I'm aware I lean towards irrational on this topic, but I promise I'm not spoiling for a fight. I'm genuinely curious as to how others came to their own conclusions as to what was right for their family. I do think circing is horrible, but that doesn't mean I think people who have their boys circed are horrible - it's my kneejerk reaction, and then I get over myself and remember that I'm not them, they're not me, we all make our own decisions for our own reasons.

[TaChapm]

With all due respect...I am all for having a HEALTHY debate about why/why not to circumcise but I think that when the first post in the thread starts off by saying that circumcising is a HORRIBLE thing it will just lead to no good....

[psophia17]

I wasn't shooting for a debate, just opinions. There are lots of them out there, and I'm interested in hearing them. I don't intend to try and change anyone's mind, but I also don't plan to change mine.

[tnrnchick74]

I posted this in the other thread...but this is my opinion: As a medical professional working in the NICU, I am asked frequently about studies/opinions/procedures for circs. I have read ALL the studies and for ME I feel that there is a little more evidence FOR circ than against. That is also swayed by my nephew's expericen - he was not circ'd and at age 5 had to have major surgery for a late circ.

That being said...it is ultimately a personal decision. As parents EVERYTHING we do has risks & benefits. Our job is to make the BEST decision we can based on the current evidence and our feelings on the subject.

[rprav8r]

Originally Posted by psophia17

So I leave it alone as best I can.

What's your opinion, and why?

I don't think that starting a thread on circumcision with a highly inflammatory statement counts as leaving it alone. Petra, with all due respect, because you KNOW I like you, it really seems like you're just itching for a fight on this one.

[SnuggleBuggles]

My thought process- foreskin has a purpose, it isn't just an accessory; the choice should be left to my son because it is his body; my personal preference shouldn't matter but I much prefer the look when intact; I think the locker room argument is ridiculous (sorry, but I do)- not only are the tides turning so he won't be the only one but intact but he shouldn't be ashamed of his body even if it is different; looking like dad? well, he does and even if he didn't I don't think that it really matters because he will always look different; I have a hard time w/ circ. men making the choice for their ds because they have no idea what it would be like/ feel like to be intact (when you are intact you can have options); I couldn't find any strong enough reason to do it.

I actually did not feel strongly about it before ds1 was born and left the choice to dh. he didn't feel strongly about it but leaned to not doing it. Now I feel much more strongly about it and I am grateful I made the choice I did.

Beth

[Piglet]

We circed for religious reasons, but DH and I had a conversation about it a few months ago and both of us admitted that we would never have done it for non-religious reasons. I guess religion is a pretty powerful motivator, LOL.

[Ceepa]

Originally Posted by psophia17

: ... and I do my best not to talk about it because I don't want to find out that people I like and respect otherwise would do a horrible thing like cut part of their baby off. ...

Come on, now. This is not productive.

I support a parent's right to decide for their family members and will not expect that my choice for DS is somehow better, safer, healthier, aesthetically important if another person's opinions differ on the subject. There are resources to back both sides of the issue.

[lizajane]

[quote=psophia17] It's my big mommy-drive-by, and I do my best not to talk about it because I don't want to find out that people I like and respect otherwise would do a horrible thing like cut part of their baby off. So I leave it alone as best I can.quote]

i will miss your friendship.

[psophia17]

I'm really not - just an exercise in discussion on a topic that I freely admit I'm not rational about. I guess that would've been better in my OP than here...I'll eta in a sec.

Maybe I'm just giddy that the other circ threads went so well, it's so refreshing, kwim?