This was my first experience trying to share anit-circ information. For both of them, I printed the Mothering article that Dr. Fliess wrote, as well as the Circumcision and Mormonism pamphlet that someone linked here not long ago (they are both Mormon, as am I...it's a very good pamphlet). I didn't want to overwhelm them with information, since they are both early in their pregnancies and neither knows the gender yet. I told them I'd be happy to point them to more information or print more material for them if they want to look into it more.
I think if one friend has a boy, she will not circumcise. She knows someone in real life who's nephew died because of circumcision, and she had a friend several years ago who told her "If God isn't commanding circumcision right now, I don't see any reason to do it." So the idea of intact boys is not new to her. She said to me that the only part she would be worried about is convincing her husband...so I also shared the story of convincing my husband, who went along with me somewhat grudgingly, but now is extremely supportive.
The other friend, well, she has 3 boys who are circumcised already and they don't have any problems, and during our conversation she brought up *multiple* times how uncomfortable the boys and her husband and an intact son would all be if they were different. I told her what she could say in those instances, but she didn't sound wholly convinced.
We all talked for a while and I brought up the UTI myths/bad study, the ridiculous argument of preventing cancer/STDs, the "cleaner" argument, etc. They both seemed interested at the new information they were given.
I hope at least I have planted some seeds...and maybe being a friend with someone like me who left their son intact could also be good motivation!
Overall I thought it might be a very uncomfortable talk for all of us, but it ended up being a rather pleasant conversation, so that helps make me feel a little bit more confident!
I think if one friend has a boy, she will not circumcise. She knows someone in real life who's nephew died because of circumcision, and she had a friend several years ago who told her "If God isn't commanding circumcision right now, I don't see any reason to do it." So the idea of intact boys is not new to her. She said to me that the only part she would be worried about is convincing her husband...so I also shared the story of convincing my husband, who went along with me somewhat grudgingly, but now is extremely supportive.
The other friend, well, she has 3 boys who are circumcised already and they don't have any problems, and during our conversation she brought up *multiple* times how uncomfortable the boys and her husband and an intact son would all be if they were different. I told her what she could say in those instances, but she didn't sound wholly convinced.
We all talked for a while and I brought up the UTI myths/bad study, the ridiculous argument of preventing cancer/STDs, the "cleaner" argument, etc. They both seemed interested at the new information they were given.
I hope at least I have planted some seeds...and maybe being a friend with someone like me who left their son intact could also be good motivation!
Overall I thought it might be a very uncomfortable talk for all of us, but it ended up being a rather pleasant conversation, so that helps make me feel a little bit more confident!
