Wow, I never expected my circumcision post to get so much traffic and scrutiny. I have received numerous negative comments and was originally planning to keep them to myself. However, I do truly respect the opinion of every person and appreciate different points of view so have decided to share them openly and have responded accordingly.
What bothers me about the traffic and responses I’ve received on this topic is that they are from people who have never before visited my blog. They are from people who have not taken the time to get to know me through my writing but still feel they have the right to comment on and judge my parenting decisions. Anyone who knows me or has followed my blog knows that the decision to circumcise my son is not one I took lightly and that I indeed did research the pros and cons as well as sought the advice of medical professionals I trust such as our pediatrician and my midwife (see “Boy Business”).
While I realize circumcision is not the proper choice for every parent, my research left me yo-yoing in the decision so I left the choice up to my son’s father who has more experience with penis related things than myself.
I in no way regret our decision. The procedure was done after researching our options and picking what we felt was the best practitioner for the job. As far as the commenters who claim negative effects on breastfeeding, sleeping and bonding, I have seen none. I had two weeks to get to know my son and his temperament and can confidently say this has not changed who he is. He is still the calm, happy guy we’ve always had.
I hope that those who are visiting Beyond Mommying for the first time will take the time to read my other posts and get to know me as a parent before making harsh comments and criticizing my parenting decisions. There is a lot more to me than this one post shows and not taking the time to research ME before passing judgment is just as bad as what I have been accused of doing to my son.
You have my full sympathy. Genital Integrity Activists are not, as a whole, particularly subtle.
Please understand that the vast majority of us do not pass judgment on you, or on your parenting abilities. Also, you are 100% correct that we have not taken the time to get to know you through your previous writings, and I can see why you would construe it as unfair when we swarm to your blog and make comments.
Our motives are simple and 100% well-meaning: to protect baby boys from what we see as an unnecessary mutilation. Our tactics are not always perfect. I personally am very discouraged when I see “intactivists” trying to shame parents for their decision.
So I apologize for what may seem like excessive scrutiny and judgment… our goal should always be to open minds, not to close our hearts.