This is the type of vote that my non-voting, French husband can support: a ballot measure in San Francisco that would prohibit circumcision for males under the age of 18. I can almost see him now, packing our bags for a permanent move to the west coast.
Circumcision is one of those things that really cuts people up - pun completely intended. According to the non-scientific, statistically insignificant poll at the end of the article, more than 75% of respondents are against banning circumcision, putting Peter in the minority (a minority made up of 151 people at last count...don't tell him that).
Peter is categorically against circumcision on the grounds that it is a barbaric act, which I totally understand. I don't remember my own circumcision (thank god) but I have attended an odd bris or two and I make certain to stay far away from the ceremonial scissors. The site of a newborn penis parting with its' foreskin is enough to make me duck and cover, hands protectively guarding my own crotch.
With Peanut, the topic never came up (being a girl) and it was one less thing we had to negotiate in the first few weeks of being parents for the first time. But what happens if our next child is a boy - will I succumb to Jewish guilt and centuries of religious custom...or will I cave to my husband's demands that we leave the little man's cap firmly in place?
For my part I am hoping for a girl. More sugar and spice, less slice and dice.
i totally feel your pain-- my hubby and i discussed it before our baby was born, and decided for it- because of several factors, one of the most important being that we thought it would be less traumatic to do now and not an emergency circumcision when he is older-- which sometimes needs to be done and hurts and is more traumatic than when it is done as a baby. i guess it was easier for us because we both agreed... good luck and fingers crossed for a girl!
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