Circumcision

He’s a newborn baby boy. He’s so completely and utterly powerless. He can’t say no. He can’t make a case with mommy and daddy to let him keep his foreskin.

I can’t comprehend the continued practice of circumcision in America. Well, I guess if it’s for religion I understand, because people do all sorts of zany things in the name of religion. But for people whose religion doesn’t require circumcision?

“It’s best for his health.” “It’s cleaner.” “It’s safer.” “He won’t feel like an outcast when he’s older.” “He won’t have to be embarrassed with the ladies.” I have hope that circumcision will go the way of slavery in this country. It too was inherently wrong, and it just took time for our society to no longer justify its practice.

Do people suppose that this baby boy who is screaming bloody murder as a huge chunk of functional genital tissue gets sliced off his body doesn’t really feel the pain? Or is that it just doesn’t matter how awful an experience it is because he’s a newborn and won’t remember? But who can say what permanent effect that kind of trauma has on him psychologically? Parents who choose to circumcise should be forced to both be present during the procedure so they can witness how their son responds to it. I suspect that they won’t see or hear him scream quite that same way ever again.

I wish I could have had the choice to have foreskin. I’m glad that my boys will (I think it’s enough that they didn’t get a say in what they are named). Maybe as adults they’ll want to lop it off anyways, but at least they can make that decision for themselves.

I am really sad for my new nephew, born yesterday. As his uncle, I feel like I should try to intervene on his behalf. I won’t, though. My sister and her husband are really good people and I know they feel that they are doing the right thing. I just think that one day parents won’t have to wrestle with the decision because circumcisions just won’t be done anymore. Our society has always evolved, and it will continue to do so.

Comments

[Restoring Tally]

I think it is up to each of us who knows better to get the word out. If we don't speak up for those who cannot speak, who will? Babies need advocates who will speak out that circumcision is harmful.

If nothing else, a word to your sister and husband about how you feel would be better than hoping for the best.

[Caroline]

Great post, but are you sure you don't want to try and talk to your sister and brother in law? They might be grateful for the new information you can surely give them. I hope you try! I know several people who had a similar instinct to intervene to protect a family member from circ, and didn't. Later on they regretted not trying.

I'm sure it's worth a shot! Good luck.

[Catherine]

Right on. I didn't think much about it until I was pregnant, and my midwife told me about her intact son, and I thought, Yeah, why *do* people do it? And then when he was born, the idea of anyone getting anywhere near him with a knife for any reason made my blood run cold. I held him so gently, and made sure he was warm and comfortable, and breastfed him as often as he wanted me to. How could anyone think I would then strap him into a chair and let someone cut him? Crazy.

[David]

If your nephew still has his foreskin, please talk to your sister about letting him keep it. Babies can die from circumcisions. Doctors recommend them because it's more money in their pockets. Your sister may not even know there is the option of keeping the baby intact. Please say something.

[Heidi Dillier]

I know I'm late to this post but I wanted to say that I like how parents that have their sons circumcised (like your sister) don't feel that its necessary to write some long ass rant about it. What a weird post. And who the fuck are those people who wrote those comments?? Is this really my brother talking shit about his family with a bunch of strangers? Parents who circumcise their children are doing nothing wrong and their sons don't get screwed up for life because of it. Do you ass holes remember being dropped on your head as a newborn? I didn't think so. Now thats something I wouldn't recommend a parent doing to their child.

[John Dillier]

You have no clue what you’re talking about, Heidi. I wish you hadn’t soiled my blog with your ignorance. I don’t need to respond to your comments because they are all so completely asinine.

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