Perils of the Expecting Father

One thing we are struggling with is circumcision, and although this is down the line for us it is a perfect example of stuff that is just not really thought about and done by everyone. Circumcision is a choice obviously, but one I never considered. I thought you just did it because that's what everyone does, everyone I knew in school gym class was circumcised except one weird kid from Denmark or somewhere, why even think about it? But now I have thought about it. It started as a religious practice, then it was a cleanliness thing, and now it is just kind of an unquestioned tradition. Most people do it so Baby and Dad will look the same so the boy doesn't grow up thinking he has an abnormal 'ant-eater' penis that could potentially scare girls, but why else is it done??? It isn't routinely done in other countries. Of course there is a whole group of people who argue it is necessary, and would insist it is absolutely crazy not to do it. We want to at least think about it and make a choice that isn't influenced by mainstream. We aren't Jewish, and the puritan tradition came from the reasoning that it would curb sensitivity and cut down on sexual urges and masturbation, which is stupid. I don't want to ever do anything that is just puritan tradition without carefully considering why. I endeavor in other areas of my life to question mainstream opinion so why wouldn't I here?

I conducted a little survey. It seems that almost all the other parents I know have opted not to do it. Two of them admitted that it was the wife who was against it and they, in the interest of dealing with a pregnant woman, just went along with it. They all decided that the boy could always get it done later if he wanted (as if). This could be some kind of conspiracy, I know, but I'm still undecided. I really do hate to do anything just because of some prude antiquated idea. The American Academy of Pediatrics says there is no reason to do it routinely, but that it does have cleanliness benifits, and risks either way, blah, blah, blah. They are about as helpful as asking a roomful of hormonal pregnant women. I am really leaning toward the idea that it is a stupid tradition that we should just let die out.

Posted by: chris / 6:15 AM