ughhhhh here we go again!

[robertandenith]

a friend of mine, actually a GOOD friend of mine from Panama is having a boy. I have been managing his website (he owns a restaurant) from here and we are friends from our childhood. ugh! I hate feeling this way, I was hoping for a girl. These new doctors in Panama have done their 'studies' here in US and they are all recommending circ, specially those that can afford it since it is not covered by insurance. But I know that most of them are buying the 'it's cleaner' statement or 'it's healthier' or whatever....

I've been sending mass emails to all my friends about NOCIRC for a good time now, how and why I started a NOCIRC chapter, etc. and he is in my list so I am sure he have read my messages and all the info I have sent. I just sent him a 'congratulations' note through facebook but didn't mention anything about circ. I am waiting for a reply to that message and will mention it. I have even thought of offering some free service if he leaves his son's penis alone, or at least as a gift but that would be kind of... strange?!?! I don't know... I am feeling a bit sick right now just thinking about all this...

anyways, I just wanted to vent...

[latinalonestar]

I hope he will listen to you!

I fear that this US disease of cutting baby boys is spreading to other countries.

[MaryJaneLouise]

so sorry to hear of your situation. It's sad, isn't it?

[rmzbm]

All you can do is your best...

[tpintsch]

Ughhh I know, my brothers wife will be having a baby boy any day now. I gave them NOCIRC phamplets and I told them if they had any questions I would talk to them anytime about it. I frankly don't know where they stand and its killing me.

[bvnms]

I'm sorry. Hopefully they will listen to you. When I was still pregnant with Emma, my brother asked if she ended up being a boy would I circ. I told him no and he said if his baby is a boy he's going to have him done so he'll look normal.: I asked him why was altering his son's penis making it normal? And did he compare himself to his dad or to the other guys in his gym class. Of course he said no. Sadly, he and his girlfriend had their baby on December 20th and did the circumcision.

[tennisdude23]

Originally Posted by latinalonestar

I hope he will listen to you!

I fear that this US disease of cutting baby boys is spreading to other countries.

I really think that's an overstatement. Looking at data, it does not seem to me that circumcision is spreading at any faster rate than in the past. In fact, the trend seems to be the opposite. It really does seem to be a decreasing practice. Even in Africa, I don't think we will ever see a successful implementation of wide-scale GO/NGO led circumcision programs, given cost, resource, political, economical, religious, and cultural restraints. And in Panama, I highly doubt that doctors are any more pro circumcision than in other Latin American nations.

[latinalonestar]

Originally Posted by tennisdude23

I really think that's an overstatement. Looking at data, it does not seem to me that circumcision is spreading at any faster rate than in the past. In fact, the trend seems to be the opposite. It really does seem to be a decreasing practice. Even in Africa, I don't think we will ever see a successful implementation of wide-scale GO/NGO led circumcision programs, given cost, resource, political, economical, religious, and cultural restraints. And in Panama, I highly doubt that doctors are any more pro circumcision than in other Latin American nations.

I'm sure you are right. I was just saying that I have a fear it will spread. Especially when I see pro-circ literature coming from countries where it is not the norm. Also, with the whole focus on US funding circ for AIDs prevention in Africa. Now I hear that Brazil is starting to embrace the US's medical birth culture (telling women that c/s are better). I never underestimate the power of the US when it comes to trying to "convert" the world. But gosh, I hope that my fears never turn to reality.

[carriebft]

I am married to a Panamanian and also have most of his family still living there. From the conversations we have had, it appears that circumcision is very popular in the big cities (particularly Panama City but also Colon and the smaller ones) and mostly it is popular amongst the upper middle and upper classes. Dh think it is an "americanization" thing and his relatives seem to agree. His family has not taken up the practice, but they seem to be in the minority (something I recently learned in conversations last time I was down there in July)

Three of his friends down there have fathers who are doctors, and they all advocate circumcision. But their kids (Dh's friends) are all now against it. So maybe things are changing there as well.

[robertandenith]

Thanks everyone for the support. Well, I haven't mention anything yet but he already told me that he will be asking me for some advice since this is his first child. He already know where I stand and what circumcision means and entails since I have sent him videos, links, etc to his own email address. This is going to be really difficult for me, just because he is a very close friend of mind. sighs.

thanks again.

[robertandenith]

Originally Posted by carriebft

I am married to a Panamanian and also have most of his family still living there. From the conversations we have had, it appears that circumcision is very popular in the big cities (particularly Panama City but also Colon and the smaller ones) and mostly it is popular amongst the upper middle and upper classes. Dh think it is an "americanization" thing and his relatives seem to agree. His family has not taken up the practice, but they seem to be in the minority (something I recently learned in conversations last time I was down there in July)

Three of his friends down there have fathers who are doctors, and they all advocate circumcision. But their kids (Dh's friends) are all now against it. So maybe things are changing there as well.

oh wow! well glad to meet you carriebft, I am from the city and yes, circ is more common in upper classes since they can pay for it How old are your dh's friends? Panama is so small probably I know some of them...

[yarngoddess]

I really hope your friend reads the pamphlets. One of the worst feelings as a parent is REGRET. Regret over your son's circ when you *thought* you knew what you were doing. It's a horrible feeling. I really hope they decide against having this procedure done to their baby boy.

And, good for you for sending the info to your friend! Lots of people won't even do that- they may talk about it but they don't provide reading material. I think it shows what a great friend you are, trying to help them make an informed decision- and still being there no matter what they decide! HUGS! Vibes for another intact baby!

[carriebft]

Originally Posted by robertandenith

oh wow! well glad to meet you carriebft, I am from the city and yes, circ is more common in upper classes since they can pay for it How old are your dh's friends? Panama is so small probably I know some of them...

I'll PM you

[2lilsweetfoxes]

Originally Posted by carriebft

I am married to a Panamanian and also have most of his family still living there. From the conversations we have had, it appears that circumcision is very popular in the big cities (particularly Panama City but also Colon and the smaller ones) and mostly it is popular amongst the upper middle and upper classes. Dh think it is an "americanization" thing and his relatives seem to agree. His family has not taken up the practice, but they seem to be in the minority (something I recently learned in conversations last time I was down there in July)

Three of his friends down there have fathers who are doctors, and they all advocate circumcision. But their kids (Dh's friends) are all now against it. So maybe things are changing there as well.

Being able to afford circumcision is going to to be a "status symbol" thing. That is how stuff like that spreads--if you can get the "upper classes" doing something, then the lower socioeconomic groups will soon follow. Then when the upper classes stop, the lower classes continue thinking that the way things were "before" is too low class and don't we strive for at least the illusion of upward mobility?