Remaining Intact?
Saturday, July 08, 2006
I've been reading up a little bit on the advantages of leaving one's little baby boy UNcircumcised. The more I read, the more it makes sense to leave a baby boy's penis totally intact instead of cutting off the foreskin. I used to ignorantly think that circumcision is beneficial because it makes the penis easier to clean. What do I know, anyway? I thought that "smegma" was a yucky odorous buildup underneath the foreskin of an intact penis that has not been properly taken care of. In fact, when I think about it, I believe I have always thought that smegma is a slang word, not a technical term, that I have only used jokingly in movies using dirty humor. I read on Mothersagainstcirc.org that "Smegma is clean, not dirty, and is beneficial and necessary. It moisturizes the glans and keeps it smooth, soft, and supple. Its antibacterial and antiviral properties keep the penis clean and healthy. All mammals produce smegma." I really had no clue.
My husband is circumcised and I have only ever been with men who have circumcised penises. After reading the supposed ill effects of circumcision on men's sex life, I wonder what my husband's take on the issue is or if he has ever even thought of it.
A long time ago, after seeing that a couple we know left their son's foreskin intact, I remember asking my husband if he thought we would circumcise our son if we ever had one. I think he said something along the lines of, "I'd always assumed that we would."
I wonder if his perspective has changed any. He is a proponent of natural birth, using cloth diapers, and eating natural foods. It seems as though someone who embraces the process of birth in its natural state as well as eating natural unprocessed foods and also seems to like it when I don't shave my legs and underarms would also embrace the practice of leaving a baby boy's private parts intact and shun the practice of circumcision. I think he is just uneducated on the subject, just as I was before I started reading all these horrible things about circumcision.
I am definitely going to present him with some facts so he can make an informed decision.
Here is a VERY graphic video of a routine circumcision being performed. I really don't want this done to MY BABY!!
Then, there's the spiritual aspect of circumcision.....
God commanded Abraham to be circumcised. It is an outward sign of the covenant between God and His people. However, as Gentiles that live in the New Testament age of Grace and Freedom in Christ, is it something that God still expects? Honestly, even after reading all the research that supports the benefits of leaving a child's foreskin intact, if I knew that circumcision is something that pleases God and that He expects His children to do, I would disregard what the world says and go with what God says.
I intend to read and pray about it, but it is now my understanding that circumcision is an Old Testament observance that does not need to be followed today. According to Romans 2:25-29, circumcision of the HEART, spiritually speaking, is more pleasing to God than physical circumcision. In Acts 21:25, it is decided by the early church leaders that Gentiles who had decided to follow Christ were not to be expected to become circumcised. Instead, that they keep themselves from immorality.
Click below to read: "Newborns Care of the Uncircumcised Penis Guidelines for Parents" by the American Academy of Pediatrics
My husband is circumcised and I have only ever been with men who have circumcised penises. After reading the supposed ill effects of circumcision on men's sex life, I wonder what my husband's take on the issue is or if he has ever even thought of it.
A long time ago, after seeing that a couple we know left their son's foreskin intact, I remember asking my husband if he thought we would circumcise our son if we ever had one. I think he said something along the lines of, "I'd always assumed that we would."
I wonder if his perspective has changed any. He is a proponent of natural birth, using cloth diapers, and eating natural foods. It seems as though someone who embraces the process of birth in its natural state as well as eating natural unprocessed foods and also seems to like it when I don't shave my legs and underarms would also embrace the practice of leaving a baby boy's private parts intact and shun the practice of circumcision. I think he is just uneducated on the subject, just as I was before I started reading all these horrible things about circumcision.
I am definitely going to present him with some facts so he can make an informed decision.
Here is a VERY graphic video of a routine circumcision being performed. I really don't want this done to MY BABY!!
Then, there's the spiritual aspect of circumcision.....
God commanded Abraham to be circumcised. It is an outward sign of the covenant between God and His people. However, as Gentiles that live in the New Testament age of Grace and Freedom in Christ, is it something that God still expects? Honestly, even after reading all the research that supports the benefits of leaving a child's foreskin intact, if I knew that circumcision is something that pleases God and that He expects His children to do, I would disregard what the world says and go with what God says.
I intend to read and pray about it, but it is now my understanding that circumcision is an Old Testament observance that does not need to be followed today. According to Romans 2:25-29, circumcision of the HEART, spiritually speaking, is more pleasing to God than physical circumcision. In Acts 21:25, it is decided by the early church leaders that Gentiles who had decided to follow Christ were not to be expected to become circumcised. Instead, that they keep themselves from immorality.
Click below to read: "Newborns Care of the Uncircumcised Penis Guidelines for Parents" by the American Academy of Pediatrics
Labels: controversial topics, health, spirituality
posted by Unkempt Mommy at 11:18 PM
5 Comments:
As a college male athlete and having my best friend deal with this issue I would say to make sure you find out the benefits of having your child circumcised as well. As Benjamin Franklin did, make two lists Circumcised and Uncircumcised, both with Pros and Cons, and then take the time to sit with your husband and discuss the issues.
My friend who now is 26, had to battle with the idea of getting circumcised at the age of 19-22. He finally decided not to do it, but it was a difficult time for him as he grew into a man.
Just had to comment on this one.
First, I wanted to wish you all the best as you begin your journey to motherhood!
I am the mother of an uncircumsized 3 year old. I like to think I have a strong stomach, but I made it only a third of the way through that video. Words cannot describe...
Even though remaining intact is becoming more acceptable IMHO, it amazes me that emotions over the issue still run deep. Just the other day my dear nonconfrontational and soft spoken SIL told me that she was, more or less, appauled with our decision to not circumsize our son. Her fear, which I have to say I find somewhat irrational, is that my son will "have to have it done later" (as a teenager) and that we should spare him the trauma by having it done now. She really believes that having to be circumsized is envitable. I don't even kind of agree. While it wasn't right for us, I respect that it was right for her. I hope that with time she will develop the same attitude.
Another reason in her mind...recent studies have suggested that women who have sex with uncircumsized males have a much higher risk of contracting cervical cancer. It's gone as far as now promoting a vaccine, Gardasil, to young girls and women to help prevent it. Maybe it's because I am the mother of a boy, but this does still not change my mind that I have made the right decision...for us.
I must say I do find the whole debate rather insteresting. Even my granola husband, who had always assumed if we had a son that we'd "make him look like Daddy" had to stop and think it over. In the end, he realized that it wasn't as big as an issue for him as he thought it would be after a little consideration.
So the long and the short of it: being a parent means that you have to stick up for yourself, and follow your heart, and always be ready for the backlash. It sounds like you are already there!
Again, best wishes to you! I hope to read some good news in the coming months!
Just had to comment on this one.
First, I wanted to wish you all the best as you begin your journey to motherhood!
I am the mother of an uncircumsized 3 year old. I like to think I have a strong stomach, but I made it only a third of the way through that video. Words cannot describe...
Even though remaining intact is becoming more acceptable IMHO, it amazes me that emotions over the issue still run deep. Just the other day my dear nonconfrontational and soft spoken SIL told me that she was, more or less, appauled with our decision to not circumsize our son. Her fear, which I have to say I find somewhat irrational, is that my son will "have to have it done later" (as a teenager) and that we should spare him the trauma by having it done now. She really believes that having to be circumsized is envitable. I don't even kind of agree. While it wasn't right for us, I respect that it was right for her. I hope that with time she will develop the same attitude.
Another reason in her mind...recent studies have suggested that women who have sex with uncircumsized males have a much higher risk of contracting cervical cancer. It's gone as far as now promoting a vaccine, Gardasil, to young girls and women to help prevent it. Maybe it's because I am the mother of a boy, but this does still not change my mind that I have made the right decision...for us.
I must say I do find the whole debate rather insteresting. Even my granola husband, who had always assumed if we had a son that we'd "make him look like Daddy" had to stop and think it over. In the end, he realized that it wasn't as big as an issue for him as he thought it would be after a little consideration.
So the long and the short of it: being a parent means that you have to stick up for yourself, and follow your heart, and always be ready for the backlash. It sounds like you are already there!
Again, best wishes to you! I hope to read some good news in the coming months!
dear Heidi,
You make very good points. Certainly this is a decision that a parent must make for themselves. IMHO your son will be faced with the decision to get circumcised or not. It might be as easy as him thinking about it and saying "heck no, that'll hurt" or like my friend who spent years dwelling on this issue until he decided not to do it.
I believe, Heidi, you and your husband did what was best for your child. My parents weren't perfect, as I know all aren't, but Parents (most) do what is best for their children no matter what their decisions are. Today we live in a society that teenagers 'blame' parents when parents know best. I believe that "eipwek" and her husband will do what is best for their child because they are truly searching for 'the truth'. Truth to me and truth to Heidi might be different on this issue but we both searched. May God Bless both of you for your humbleness.
We chose not to circ. I struggled with it for awhile because surely if God told Abraham to do it, it had health benefits too, right? Well, I prayed and felt comfortable with the scriptures in the New Testament stating that it is the changed heart, not penis that matters. So our boy is intact and so far, so good.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home