Feel free to spread my anecdote - Page 2

[tennisdude23]

Originally Posted by Ryan124

I'm distressed all the time just knowing that there's a boy every 30 seconds (quoting the penn/teller show) in the US being mutilated. My cousin's pregnant again so I'm hoping it's a girl, otherwise she'll do it again. I tried convincing her not to do it to her now 6 year old, but if it's a boy and I can't stop her, I will really be pissed off because I know a lot more now about circumcision than I knew back then. If I can't even change my family members' thinking, how can I change society?

I'm trying to study for my final tomorrow but my own physical pain plus feeling helpless about what goes on every day just occupies my mind. At this point I want to just "forget about it" just like everyone else and do whatever it takes to be willfully ignorant. If I imitate my peers, I would just party, hang out, not care about anything, and worst of all, not THINK critically.

Good luck with your studies. I just want to let you know that on an individual level you probably won't change society. Large scale change has to come from the top (medical establishments, policy makers, etc). But you can change things from the bottom on a small scale. The fact that you are willing to tell your story and spread information is great. You may not have much success with your cousin, but you may have with someone else and sometimes your actions may indirect positive effects. So, keep up it.

[1littlebit]

Originally Posted by tennisdude23

Good luck with your studies. I just want to let you know that on an individual level you probably won't change society. Large scale change has to come from the top (medical establishments, policy makers, etc). But you can change things from the bottom on a small scale. The fact that you are willing to tell your story and spread information is great. You may not have much success with your cousin, but you may have with someone else and sometimes your actions may indirect positive effects. So, keep up it.

you know what? any change big or small is great. you may change things in a big way .. who knows. and your cousin may listen since you are coming from a place of love and personal experience. also-- its a pretty big change for every single little boy involved.. so really... every change is a huge one for somebody

[njeb]

I couldn't read this and not give you a I'm so sorry this happened to you.

In my experience, it's easier to convince total strangers than family and friends. Maybe it's because the family and friends are around you all the time and have become somewhat immune to what you have to say. The strangers seem to be more open.

Other people may do better with family and friends than with strangers. This is just my experience.