help - non internet resources....

[mamajo2004]

I told both my mil and my mom today that we are not circing our little boy due next month (both told me "but circ'd penises are cleaner, wont remember pain, etc etc"). I want to be able to tell them where I get my info, but I can't just say I read it on the internet. I need something more contrete like books, journal articles for studies done, etc. Anyone know of anything that might help?

[Frankly Speaking]

I don't understand the reluctance of using the internet as a source. There are certainly books by authors like Paul Fleiss Edward Wallerstein and David Gollaher but if you go to the sites of The American Medical Association, The American Academy of Pediatrics, etc, all of the articles there were originally published in their publications. Just as them printing it in their magazine doesn't necessarily make it true, publishing it on the internet doesn't make it false. It is printed the same in each place and if it has credibility in one place, it has the same credibility on the other. The only difference in what you find on the internet is that you don't have to drive to a library at a medical university to find a back issue of "Pediatrics."

I would think that if you simply said "It was published in "The Journal of The American Medical Association," (JAMA) and not mention that you read it on the internet, that may end the questions.

I think the real question you should be asking is "where did you find that information?" Instead of you justifying what you are doing, make them justify what they are saying. Instead of being on the defensive, take the position that you know what you are doing and make them try to prove you wrong with factual information, not rumors and old wives tales. They won't be able to do it and that will be the end of it. There is no need for you to jump through hoops, hold the hoop for them to jump through!





Frank

[mattemma04]

//

[Teresa]

Personally, I don't see a need to justify leaving a child intact to anyone. Perhaps some people have to convince an uninformed partner/spouse, but ILs, etc. just need to be told, "We've researched this carefully and know this is best for him/her."

Then change the subject abruptly.
"So, how was Junior's wedding? Did Uncle Albert get drunk again?"
Do this every time and if they object, be blunt--but nice--and just say that it's not a matter for discussion.

Now, I'm assuming these are people who are busy-bodies giving you unsolicited, outdated advice. If they really are simply curious, but respectful then, go ahead and educate them.

If they're just looking to be intrusive & confrontational, ignore them. As suggested previously to someone who had a relative with 'issues', you might try the 'You know, Mrs. Smith, I'm a little uncomfortable with your obsession with baby's penis. It just doesn't seem healthy." (said in a serious, concerned tone!)

[mamajo2004]

Oh, both are being very respectful, no rude comments or anything. I'm not really tring to prove my point (thats pointless...I'm going to do what I see fit anyway lol), just educate them and show them why I make the decisions I do.

About finding credible sources on the internet, I guess I should have worded that a little different I should have just said published in journals (how I get access to them makes no difference). I'm the type of person who has to read it from the source, I can't go to a website (put together by an individual rather than a medical organization) and read "in the journal of this and this, it says this....". I have to find the journal article myself lol Like you said Frank, I'd much rather tell them I read it the Journal of "" than say I read on some website I'd also like to see if my library has any books I can check out.

Thanks everyone!

[MelissaEvans]

How about quoting your heart? "Even if he can't remember it (which I don't believe), I couldn't inflict that much pain on my perfect newborn baby." Or your logic? "God/Evolution put that skin there, and I'm sure there's a very good reason. It doesn't make sense to me to remove it." Or your common sense? "The rest of the world doesn't do this except for religous reasons, so there must not be any medical/hygenic benefits to the operation." Or your philosophy? "It's his penis, I don't feel I have a right to alter it." You're not the internet, and it's really hard to argue with how a mother feels. =)

[Frankly Speaking]

Jodi:

I have a goldmine for you. Start digging and you will find more articles from respected medical journals than you can read:


www.cirp.org





Frank

[copslass]

ROFL!
Jodi, my first kids were born in the 1980's, so when I was researching issues, it was all books! My relatives told me I READ TOO MUCH!!! :

Nowadays parents are being told not to believe everything they read on the internet. : The irony kills me. Believe me, hopping on your computer in your house beats traveling to the local medical library any day! Assuming the sources are credible, of course.

Good idea to site the source, and omit the method of delivery.

[mamajo2004]

I finally happened upon this article link hopping...this is the type of article that I needed - originally published in Men's Health magazine.

http://www.noharmm.org/separated.htm

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and links