Entry FeedI just had to watch 50 minutes of the National to see the very brief segment on circumcision.
Obviously, our boys are 5 and 7, so we made our decision years ago, with the best information available at the time.
Currently, the Canadian Paediatric Society does not recommend the routine circumcision of new born males. The claim on the National is that they will be reviewing this policy in light of a new editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine.
This editorial is based on a study from Uganda that found 25% fewer cases of herpes and 35% less HPV amongst circumcised males.
I am so angry! What is wrong with teaching about condom usage? I know the Pope was just in Africa, and even with the high HIV rates does not want to acknowledge the potential usefulness of sex education and condoms.
But we are not a country ruled by the Pope. Although approximately 45% of Canadian are considered Catholic by our census data, we do not let the church dictate what happens in our bedrooms. I like to think we are too smart to follow everything a church, so obviously lost in the dark ages, preaches.
I attended Catholic school, and received sex education classes where we discussed STD prevention. AIDS was a huge fear, and though the school didn't hand out condoms, we were told where to get them.
I am shocked, horrified, and outraged that we would consider cutting our sons instead of educating them.
If my sons want to undergo elective circumcisions when they become sexual active in order to help decrease their chances of contracting a STD, that will be a decision between them and their doctor. We will help them research the information, and support them.
Until then my husband and I will do our best to raise our children with an understanding of our morals and values, and educate them about risks and responsibilities associated with sexual activity.
I dont think I really like the comment you made in your comments "I am shocked, horrified and outraged that we would consider cutting our sons instead of educating them". I did circumcised my son when he was born 13 years ago and of course my doctor tried to talk me out of it for three days. But at my time I had the knowledge that my dad at 21 had to go through the procedure and to this day he still has the comment that it was the most pain that he has ever been in both physically and mentally. He had to do it for medical reasons and not STD's from sex. I have educated my son on condoms and sex and have since he was little as I am very liberal about these things with my kids but I have never reconsidered or regretted my decision on making sure my son had a circumcision. I believe that it is the right of each family to decide not the right of the government but I dont think it is right to say that I am a bad mother for doing so..........Just my thoughts