I join the ranks!

[Contrariety]

Oh, man!

I am joining the ranks. For as long as I have known that foreskins existed, I have supported them... but I never had to fight about it because everyone has girls or no kids at all. I've always been a passive intactivist, but now I must fight the good fight.

But now I must arm up and defend the rights of my nephew to be and I am getting all heated up just thinking about the possibility that I may not be able to sway my sister's view. She is officially on the fence about the matter, but she is fairly certain that her husband will want to circ.

I think I'll take an educational approach before throwing in a bunch of heated opinions on the matter... and then we'll go from there.

I am honestly *SO* against it that if she and her husband decide to go through with it, it will harm our relationship. I really don't want that to happen... she's my sister!

Wish me luck!

[mntnmom]

Most people, presented with the truth by someone who really cares about them will make the best choice. Be gentle. Present it as something you found out that you HAVE to share because you love her so much.
GOOD LUCK

[Greg B]

Night Nurse had a great post for this I thought, I hope she does not mind me pasting it here:

First, have her watch a video of an infant circ, like the one at http://intact.ca/vidintro.htm . Because she, like many Americans, may think circ is just a fast, painless "snip".

Then, the Penn & Teller Bullsh!t video on circ.

Next, have her read info on myths and facts like the list at http://nocircpa.org/4642.html or http://circumstitions.com/Itsaboy.html

That will give her plenty of food for thought. Then you can see how she reacts to see what other information may be useful.

Regards

[glongley]

I think you also need to empower her to understand she had a right and ability to stand up for her son even if her husband does think he wants it. Of course, he's going to want it - he's circumcised and thinks its just fine. But he probably knows next to nothing about the foreskin and its sexual functions, how the procedure is actually done (what his baby will go through), or the possible complications. Help her to realize that he needs education as much as she does, not just take his first reaction as the only and final way to go. Also that he may need some emotional support if he finds it challenging to consider leaving his son intact.

Gillian

[Anastasiya]

Originally Posted by Mrs. Jesus

I am honestly *SO* against it that if she and her husband decide to go through with it, it will harm our relationship. I really don't want that to happen... she's my sister!

Wish me luck!

I hope you can convince them.
I was in the same boat with my sis, and she chose to do it (because it looked better).

It has definitely harmed my relationship with her. I have lost a tremendous amount of respect for both she and her dh because of it.

[silverspook]

Originally Posted by Mrs. Jesus

Oh, man!

I am joining the ranks.

Welcome fellow Intactivist/CTA Charter!

[perspective]

Originally Posted by glongley

Of course, he's going to want it - he's circumcised and thinks its just fine.

I think thats a big assumption to make (although we know differently in this case) but before coming to this site the ONLY people that I ever heard (online or in real life) that were against RIC was circumcised men.
----

To the OP- I think you need to be careful, if you think she is in any way pro-circ leaning, showing her the vid circ, and the bullshit vid. might turn her off to your message. But if she seems truly lost on this issue, do everything Night-Nurse said.

Otherwise, be gentle, caring and start with one small fact, one small aspect of the anti-circ message that she will best be able to relate to, or that she might sympathize with, and try to bring her in from there.

[Contrariety]

Thanks for the advice, mamas! I emailed her last night with an email that basically said, "I hope that out of any respect you have for me, you will honestly educate yourself about this. But know that this is absolutely not about me... nor is it about you. It is about your son and his right to an intact body."

I have decided to send her an email about a different facet of the argument every day. Last night's email focused on educating her about what a foreskin actually is, and that it is a fully functioning body part as opposed to a nuisance flap of skin.

Oh, I am hoping for the best!

What should the topic of tonight's email be??

[Greg B]

How about the childs right to have it if he so chooses. Or the moral duty of the parents and doctor to act in the best interests of the CHILD?