Passively advocating works!

[DahliaRW]

I have some anti-circ links and a blinkie in my sig on another board. A mom PM'd me today to thank me for the links and to tell me that they made her rethink circ. She had her first done because she didn't know much about it and her dh insisted, but now if she ends up with another ds she's seriously thinking not doing it. Totally made my day. Oh, and I will be following up with more info if/when she is pregnant again.

[mamatoablessing]

Who is Wayne Hampton? I love the the quote in your siggy.

[nd_deadhead]

Way to go! You just never know what is going to trigger someone's change to "Of course circumcision is ridiculous!"

Not too long ago, on a circ debate board, I announced that I was going to get glasses for my sons. After all, I wear glasses, so does my Mom, and they will probably need glasses eventually anyway. Besides, I think kids look smarter in glasses.

The irony was enough for one woman to change her mind about circumcision! Since there are a ton of different triggers out there, we just have to keep presenting as many of them as we can think of.

[DahliaRW]

Originally Posted by mamatoablessing

Who is Wayne Hampton? I love the the quote in your siggy.

Some random guy who has a blog. Just giving credit since he wrote it, though he's not famous (that I know of).

[Revamp]

Excellent!

Different approaches work with different people, but I think just getting through the message that it is not a neccessity will cause rates to drop substantially. The fact that this controversy even exists is progress...

[frenchie]

I just have to tell this story...since I was "passively" preaching to a girl at an art show this weekend.
So, this lady and I were introduced, and I noticed she was quite pregnant. We got to talking about her due date and whatnot...and I had to ask..."do you know the gender of your baby?" She told me that she was expecting a boy...but had wished she was having a girl. I don't know why...(maybe all the talk here on the board has been influencing me to be a little more assertive with my "intactivism") but I just couldn't resist turning the conversation to circumcision. I went on to tell her that I have a little boy too, but that I had hoped for a girl. I went on to explain that I wanted a girl, because my husband and I were not on the same page regarding circumcision. She chimed in with.."oh yeah? My husband and I are not on the same page either...he is anti-circ, and I'm pro" and then our conversation went something like this

me: Why is your husband opposed to circing?
her: He has a 12 year old son, and watched his circ. He said it was aweful, and doesn't want to inflict that on his new baby boy. He feels it's just cosmetic.
me: well, he's right...the AAP even made an official statement in opposition to circumcision a few years back.
her: well, the only reason I would want it to be done, is I just don't want him to be made fun of.
me: awww...you know he's going to be made fun of for so many other reasons...I understand that it's SUCH a personal issue, and young boys are especially sensitive about their genitals being made fun of...but the percentages now are 44%-56%...and steadily rising!
her: oh...I know, but I would feel so bad if a woman rejected him because he was uncut. Some women are totally disgusted by foreskin.
me: but for every woman who hates foreskin, there is a woman who loves it.
*insert awkward silence*
me: I just encourage you to do a little research. There is so much compelling evidence out there, in favor of leaving a child intact.
her: I know...the information gets over whelming. I'm on the fence about it, and I'm more in favor of leaving him intact.

We also talked about the pain factor a bit....and then our conversation just turned and we started talking about names and other random baby stuff. It was neat, because I could tell she was really hearing me. I tried not to be pushy, because I didn't want the conversation to end before I could get my point heard

[Revamp]

Nice work Frenchie, I am impressed.