Posted on 07/16/2004 8:42:13 AM PDT by presidio9
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- For most little boys, circumcision is a decision for the parents to make. But the Missouri Supreme Court may make that decision for one local boy because his parents don't agree.
Two-and-a-half-year-old Ethan Azar's mother does not want to have him circumcised.
"There's no medical society in the world that recommends it, including the American Academy of Pediatrics," said Camille Azar.
But Ethan's father was recently granted sole custody. He wants his son circumcised. While the boy's father and his attorney would not appear on camera, they did cite personal, social and health reasons for wanting the circumcision, KMBC's Kelly Eckerman reported.
Circumcision removes the layer of skin covering the penis. It is something more and more parents are opting not to do, Eckerman said. The medical community calls it a personal decision.
"Everyone has their bias. But we try to base recommendations on sound medical evidence and it just isn't there to say yes or no," Dr. Ken Wible said.
Lower courts refused to intervene, so the case is now going to the Missouri Supreme Court to see if Ethan's father should be able to go ahead with the circumcision.
"The fact the courts have ruled he can make medical decisions doesn't mean he can make a decision to have part of the healthy living flesh of the child cut off," said Dennis Owens, Camille Azar's attorney.
Doctors did tell KMBC that Ethan's age is a factor.
"At that age, a child is going to need anesthesia," Wible said.
Camille Azar said that the decision should be up to her son when he's older.
"I want Ethan to make the decision about his own body," Camille Azar said.
Eckerman said that religion plays a role in some families' decisions about circumcision, but that has not been an issue here. The battle over Ethan's circumcision comes in the middle of a custody battle. A decision from the state's high court is expected within two weeks.
LMAO! i think a sense of humor in a man is even more impt than if he is circumcised or not!
PSA???
public service announcement.... not penile servicing agreement....ya pervert... : )
In a related story, xsmommy denied reports of offering penile service agreements for the month of August saying, "Look the July contracts all went soft anyway....."
I can find humor in almost any subject.
A good sense of humor is essential to life, those who have no sense of humor usually die miserable and lonely.
XL, I'll help you laugh some more.
I have a great sense of humor. I also know when it is appropriate. Apparently you went to the "Whoopie" school of laughter.
>> I have heard oral sex discussed by over 100 women over the years, and all but one or two have said they didn't do uncircumcised men.<<
There goes one Jewish stereotype out the window!
Sounds like you've done some "circumspection".
Actually, no.
I went to the Fort Sill Field Artillery Training Center and learned to laugh because one had to.
You obviously went to the Puritan school of humor, "If someone's having fun by God it must be stopped!"
Maybe your post 28 is the reason for your post 32. What self-respecting Southern girl would ever tell you that she WOULD do that for you, except only for the issue of circumcision?
Given European hygeine...
Yikes.. Yes here in NY IS a minefield for dating.
Well, in this case there is no middle ground. When something is either-or, how can you compromise? "Let's only circ him 1/2 way?"
Having been through this with my wife after my son's birth (and being the one who capitulated) I can tell you it's not easy.
Life ain't easy.... but you'd think people could live it without the courts deciding it for them.
At birth, the skin is attached to the glans. Before it can be removed then do have to "peel" it off the glans. It can remain attached as late as four years old.
SD
LOL! Good one!
In this case it's an unnecessary, irreversible procedure.
The only reason I "gave in" was for the sake of my marriage. If my wife and I were estranged, I could see the issue escalating.
Do you consider any kind of plastic surgery, whether done on adults or children, "mutilation"?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.