"Watch Your Language"

[MelissaEvans]

Someone posted this article awhile ago on the Breastfeeding forum. http://www.bobrow.net/kimberly/birth/BFLanguage.html
I love it! And I got to thinking about the points she made and how it applies to circ as well. Things like how breastfeeding is "superior" making bottle feeding "normal." Intact is not "superior," it is normal and what babies deserve. She mentions how the medical field responds when a mother choses to use artificial human milk... similar to how they respond to a parent who wants part of their son's genitals removed. Then she talks about the "guilt" concept and how it is the medical community covering its own behind... sounds familiar. And the "balanced" list given to parents... yep. Then the smoking analogy... wow.

Just had a "lightbulb moment" and wanted to share. =)

edited to fix a typo

[Quirky]

You're so right!

[Teresa]

I always suggest to people that they use the word 'whole', 'intact' or 'natural' to talk about their children's bodies.

And use 'intact' to talk about all children--male and female.
It might help people to reconsider things.
"Your little boy isn't circumcised?!"
"Oh no, nobody does that anymore. . . both of our children are whole, intact and natural!"

I don't use 'normal' for intact children because in some places in the US, it is still the norm to not be intact.

The important thing is to stop the use of the word 'uncircumcised'.

It implies that something has been left un-done that should have been done, when quite the reverse is true.

(That's a great article on breastfeeding, btw, and one of my favorites. I like to say 'breast-milk substitute' or 'non-human milk' instead of 'formula' but have to be careful around our cousins with adoptive children whom they chose not to nurse)

[MelissaEvans]

Originally Posted by Teresa

I don't use 'normal' for intact children because in some places in the US, it is still the norm to not be intact.

But it is the biological norm. Breastfeeding isn't the norm here in the US either - that's her point. =)

[hipumpkins]

How's this for weird?
My friend is 12 weeks pregnant and I was looking for that article to send her. She does "plan" on breasfeeding but I wanted to make sure she gets all the facts so her will is strong.
Anyway, I came on this forum to get some circ info for her...(I am lucky she has asked me for all my advice. Says she is coming over with pad and pen in hand. ) I have been emailing her stuff and figured in case it was a boy I would send her this kind of info, too. (I have a girl) and here it is all the information in one forum!!
Thanks!!