As many people know, version 2.1 (or is it 3.0?) will be a boy.  Sarah and I had always planned on having 2 children, and its just an easier decision now that we’ve collected the whole set.  The downside to having a boy is that we have to have a discussion that we were able to avoid the first time around: circumcision.

While I may be cut, that doesn’t mean its the right choice for my child.  Sarah, being a female, really hadn’t given it much thought until recently.  While no decision has been made, I think we’re starting in opposite camps.  Or at least slightly divergent camps.  I’m strictly on the fence, but leaning on the side of "being intact."  Sarah is leaning in the opposite direction, but she’ll fully admit its due to conformity and aesthetics.

As part of our reexamination of the issue, we had Netflix send us Penn & Teller: Bullshit season 3 disc 1.  This was their episode on circumcision.  We had watched it when it first aired on Showtime, but it was time for a refresher.  It was fairly grueling to watch, and just based on the pain of the child, its a fairly compelling argument against.  Sadly, some of the "intactivists" they show don’t help the cause much.  Some of their arguments and presentation were fairly "out there" so it weakened the case a bit.  However, those who were for circumcision didn’t have their case bolstered by the fact that in the United States circumcision became popular thanks to efforts by Kellogg and Graham as a way to keep those pesky kids from masturbating and keep their devotion to God.  1) It doesn’t really slow guys down (I’ve verified this) and 2) the cereal guy and the sweet cracker guy?  Give me a break.  Anyway, even after watching, Sarah was still on the side she started with, but it gave us a few more places to check out. 

One of the items that P&T mentioned was the American Academy Of Pediatrics: Circumcision Policy Statement which I intend to read in the next few days.  I also, on my own, looked up the wikipedia article on circumcision.  Also, in trying to find some links for this post, I found this  recent article in the Charlotte Observer.

In what I’ve read so far, I’m still on the fence.  It doesn’t seem medically necessary, despite recent reports on the reduction in HIV transmission in Africa.  Something doesn’t sit right with me on those reports, especially given the reported rampant nature of unprotected sex there.  I would hope that I would raise my child right and he would practice safe sex at all times.

Anyway, one final thought from the Abstract of the America Academy of Pediatrics (also referenced in P&T:BS):

Existing scientific evidence demonstrates potential medical benefits of newborn male circumcision; however, these data are not sufficient to recommend routine neonatal circumcision. In circumstances in which there are potential benefits and risks, yet the procedure is not essential to the child’s current well-being, parents should determine what is in the best interest of the child. To make an informed choice, parents of all male infants should be given accurate and unbiased information and be provided the opportunity to discuss this decision. If a decision for circumcision is made, procedural analgesia should be provided.

Anyway, dear lazy web, what say you on the removal of foreskin?

[Update 1/17: For various reasons, most of them having to do with travel, I missed an article in the Chicago Tribune on this topic: Circumcision Circumspection.  (Actually, this is the same article I pointed to above from the Charlotte Observer.  I guess I didn’t realize it was from a local origin.)  However, I caught a pro-circumcision letter to the editor that was in this mornings paper.]

Everytime the doorbell rings or someone knocks on a door, it is NOT ALWAYS a man delivering pizza. Just sometimes.

But we do know her favorite food, I guess.

Parent Hacks pointed me towards a blog entry that makes a top ten reasons why geeks make good fathers.  It seems dead on to me.

Okay, maybe not, the you can’t go wrong with list that includes legos, video games, and gadgets.