A new post on circumcision

[Code Name Mama]

I just posted on why we kept our son intact. I'm sharing it with my Facebook friends & at least three expectant mamas, and I invite you to do the same.



Thanks to everyone in this forum for your frank, honest discussions and resources. I referred to several threads when creating the post. (Thank you also to the MDC mama who sent me a copy of an email she wrote for a friend - I'm embarrassed that I don't remember your username, but your email is part of what inspired me to write this post!)

[lawmama1984]

Hey, great post! Very detailed. The picture of the intact penis compared to the circ'd one made me , but hopefully someone sees this and it sways them. One thing I'd like to mention is that you seem to use "uncirc'd" and "intact" interchangeably. I'm just a little curious why?

Sidenote: I am also a lawyer turned SAHM. Well, kinda...I became a mama in my last year of law school and passed the bar afterwards, but I am a SAHM for now. I love it, and I don't know that either me or DH are ready for me to work outside the home

[Code Name Mama]

Hmm, I guess I'm going to reveal my ignorance - what's the difference between "uncircumcised" and "intact"?

I assumed that if you're not circumcised, then you are "intact." The definition of "intact" is: : untouched especially by anything that harms or diminishes (uninjured).

In all of the research I did for that post, I never came across anything that said there was a difference between intact and uncirc'd. What am I missing (and do I need to go edit for clarity)?

Thanks for reading!

[Fellow Traveler]

Originally Posted by MahnaMahna

Hmm, I guess I'm going to reveal my ignorance - what's the difference between "uncircumcised" and "intact"?

I assumed that if you're not circumcised, then you are "intact." The definition of "intact" is: : untouched especially by anything that harms or diminishes (uninjured).

In all of the research I did for that post, I never came across anything that said there was a difference between intact and uncirc'd. What am I missing (and do I need to go edit for clarity)?

Thanks for reading!

As a practical matter there is no real difference but it's a question of tone. Uncircumcised is considered by some to have a more pejorative
tone to it, it gives the impression of something that is not done but should have been. Intact doesn't give that impression the latter is also a relatively new term so it might not be used in literature.

[Code Name Mama]

Originally Posted by Fellow Traveler

As a practical matter there is no real difference but it's a question of tone. Uncircumcised is considered by some to have a more pejorative
tone to it, it gives the impression of something that is not done but should have been. Intact doesn't give that impression the latter is also a relatively new term so it might not be used in literature.

I understand! I think I'll go back and edit - I'll say intact (aka "uncircumcised") the first time, and use intact throughout the rest of the post. Thank you

[mama24-7]

Originally Posted by lawmama1984

Hey, great post! Very detailed. The picture of the intact penis compared to the circ'd one made me , but hopefully someone sees this and it sways them. One thing I'd like to mention is that you seem to use "uncirc'd" and "intact" interchangeably. I'm just a little curious why?

omg - i've never seen a recently circ'd baby penis. :Puke how can anyone think that is anything other than horribly wrong????????? so, so gross.

sus

[thefreckledmama]

Wow, Mama. That was an incredible post. Extremely well thought out. I'm really glad you posted this, I plan on sharing it with my pro-circ husband. You've essentially covered every possible argument I could encounter. Thank you.

[terrabella]

Originally Posted by mama24-7

omg - i've never seen a recently circ'd baby penis. :Puke how can anyone think that is anything other than horribly wrong????????? so, so gross.

sus

:Puke Neither have I.

I can't believe that happened to my husband when he was just a tiny baby. Poor baby. It must have hurt so badly. The thought of that in a diaper. Yikes.

[lawmama1984]

Originally Posted by MahnaMahna

I understand! I think I'll go back and edit - I'll say intact (aka "uncircumcised") the first time, and use intact throughout the rest of the post. Thank you

Yes, what Fellow Traveler said! Sorry I wasn't here to answer you more quickly. I wrote my own blog entry on this myself, and when I used the word "intact" for the first time, I put in parentheses "read: not circumcised" or something to that effect. Then the rest of the post, I used intact.

Again, good job!

[Oubliette8]

somebody in another post suggested that saying uncircumcised is a bit like saying most people are "un-lobotomized" I thought it illustrated the point well.

[lotus.blossom]

I love that. I shared it on my facebook. Hopefully it will inspire some serious thought!

[Code Name Mama]

Thanks all! And thank you to those who have commented so far, it definitely helps people to know they aren't alone. I'll be very interested to see if I get any pro-circ comments.

[JaymeH]

As my husband and I continue to have this conversation, I will add your post to the list of things that he has to read.
Thank you so much, good work, and happy parenting.

[erinbutterfly]

where is the post

im trying to see the post you mention, this is my first time logging in and looking around so im sorry if it is right in front of me. i am not a mother yet but told my mom if i had a boy now i would not circ and it has stirred up a lot of controversy in my family and they are saying i would be a bad mom. i am trying to share things with them.

thank you!

[Night_Nurse]

Originally Posted by erinbutterfly

im trying to see the post you mention, this is my first time logging in and looking around so im sorry if it is right in front of me. i am not a mother yet but told my mom if i had a boy now i would not circ and it has stirred up a lot of controversy in my family and they are saying i would be a bad mom. i am trying to share things with them.

thank you!

Hi Erin!

The original poster deleted the link to her blog but you can send her a personal message ("pm") by clicking on her user name. She said she'd share the info to anyone interested if they pm her.

Of course, if you have any specific (or general) questions about leaving your son intact (uncircumcised) we'd all be happy to help you if we can. I'm a nurse and I didn't circumcise my own son. I don't think you are a "bad mom" for not wanting to circumcise. I suspect the people telling you that are relying on old information they heard from the 60's or 70's (they use to think not circing caused many medical problems but the medical community now knows otherwise). Doctors also used to tell parents they had to pull the infant foreskin back to clean it everyday and that did nothing but cause pain, bleeding and infections. And because of that, it led to the "need" for circumcision. We now know there are not any special cleaning rituals and to just leave the penis alone (only wipe the outside downward like a finger). Now we don't create any problems this way and baby boys are much happier because of it!

[Code Name Mama]

Originally Posted by erinbutterfly

im trying to see the post you mention, this is my first time logging in and looking around so im sorry if it is right in front of me. i am not a mother yet but told my mom if i had a boy now i would not circ and it has stirred up a lot of controversy in my family and they are saying i would be a bad mom. i am trying to share things with them.

thank you!

I just sent you a private msg with the link. Congratulations on your pregnancy, and good for you for making the decision to leave your son intact!