When our first child was born, I was an informed parent. There was no way I was letting any doctor (or anyone else) retract his perfect, intact penis. At birth, and for quite a while after (sometimes until puberty), the foreskin is adhered to the glans of the penis. This is a way for the... Continue Reading →
When it comes to the topic of circumcision, an argument often touted is that the parent wants to save the child from the pain of a possible circumcision later on in life. They then follow this by the fact that they know someone who had to have a circumcision as an adult. They just want to save their child... Continue Reading →
Foreskins are functional. Most parents wouldn't knowingly cut off a functional part of their infant's body. In fact, it's illegal to cut off the majority of infant body parts, excluding foreskins. However, most people aren't quite aware of the function of the foreskin, assuming that it's just a piece of skin. What they don't realize... Continue Reading →
Newborn babies are wonderful. They are snuggly and tiny, elliciting kisses and cuddles from their parents. Surprisingly enough for such tiny little people, they also are capable of making remarkable messes. Parents gingerly hand over these new little bundles to eagerly awaiting relatives with the warning to watch out for spit up. Many is the... Continue Reading →
One argument often given for routine infant circumcision is the locker room argument. Parents are worried that their child might be teased. After all, everyone else in the locker room will be circumcised, they think. What if their decision is the reason for their son's teasing? Photo by Jenni CThere are a few problems with... Continue Reading →
La Leche League, an organization dedicated to providing information and support for breastfeeding mothers and families has historically claimed that their only interest is in providing information to and supporting mothers in regards to breastfeeding. In an effort to reach as many women as possible, they supposedly do not mix causes. I can understand the point of... Continue Reading →
Welcome to the March Carnival of Natural Parenting: Natural Parenting Top 10 Lists This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Code Name: Mama and Hobo Mama. This month our participants have shared Top 10 lists on a wide variety of aspects of attachment parenting and natural living.... Continue Reading →
On 30 September 2006, a US federal law was enacted which prevented the practice of female genital mutilation of minors, aslo known as female circumcision. The criminalization subsection of this law went into effect on 30 March 1997 and is the generally recognized effective date. 13 years later, boys are still not protected from routine... Continue Reading →
living peacefully with children 