It is absolutely barbaric that this is “standard” in the US, particularly because some religious looney tune was obsessed with children’s masturbation. I don’t care if an adult of “sound mind” chooses to make alterations to their body, but it certainly should not be allowed on children, let alone infants.
Comment on Doctors hate these simple tricks.
toynbee@lemmy.world 1 day ago
I recently learned that, while a sibling is uncircumcised, the hospital still charged for a circumcision. Our mom apparently called to dispute the charge and, though this was well before I was born so I can’t vouch for its veracity, eventually convinced the hospital to yield by saying “no, you didn’t circumcise him and I’ve got the foreskin here to prove it!”
Univ3rse@lemmynsfw.com 1 day ago
LillyPip@lemmy.ca 1 day ago
The hospital did this with my son, too.
I’d already told them before he was born we weren’t having them circumcised, but a nurse showed up the morning after to take him, and I’m glad I was awake, because they weren’t going to ask me. I groggily asked ‘where are you taking him?’ as she was walking away (I figured it was for blood work), and she said, ‘oh, you’re up? For his circumcision’. ‘No, no, we’re not doing that.’ She put him back in the crib.
They just assumed, and then it showed up on my bill. Took months to get the charge removed.
I’m not religious, and we don’t need to routinely mutilate baby penises, thanks.
toynbee@lemmy.world 1 day ago
Good on you for sticking to your principles!
LillyPip@lemmy.ca 1 day ago
This was nearly 30 years ago. I hope they don’t still make that assumption. Back then, they didn’t even ask. If I hadn’t stopped them, they would have just done it as a matter of routine. I really hope that’s changed now, and I’m curious if people who have had kids more recently in the US have a different experience. I hope so.
toynbee@lemmy.world 1 day ago
The doctor we saw was very progressive, according to her staff. (Apparently she thinks birthing should be done in whatever way makes the mom most comfortable, from traditional to water birth to once even on the floor.)
Before we even started the process, either that doctor or one of the nurses - I forget which - said “if it is a boy, do you want him to be circumcised?” We answered in the negative and the question was not subsequently asked again. That was just shy of six years ago.