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.
Sorry, Glenn, didn't know you were so sensitive. Try this one instead.
One day in the hospital, two little boys were lying on stretchers next to each other outside of the operating room. The first boy leans over and asks, "What are you in for?"
"I'm here to get my tonsils out and I'm nervous," the second boy says.
The first kid says, "You've got nothing to worry about! I had that done when I was four. They put you to sleep and when you wake up they give you lots of ice cream and
Jell-O. It's a breeze!"
"Well what are you here for?" the second kid asks.
"A circumcision." The first kid replys woefully.
The second kid says "Wow! I had that done when I was born and I couldn't walk for a year!"
Wow that's your reasoning for getting circumcised? LOL
That's crazy talk. He will enjoy engaging in plenty of oral sodomy should he so choose later in life.
Really, with who?
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.
So9
Sex is not everything. Besides what happens if a girl does not want to do that cut or not?
It's all the reason I needed to have my son circumcised.
This case surprises me because it is usually the women who insist on circumcision, not the fathers.
So9
"What about him? I had abdominal surgery when I was six years old. My parents didn't ask me for my consent."
abdominal surgery was probably to correct a defect not alter a normally functioning part for cosmetic reasons.
For your sex organ, sex is everything, so you should have it in optimal configuration.
So9
They might say that, but I've never encountered a problem.
The point is, it is not necessary to obtain the consent of a minor child before doing a medical procedure.
That's not what I asked. I asked if what happens if a girl does not want to give a guy oral sex? Then what?
I've broken up with girls over that. A lot of Southern girls have an issue with playing the skin flute.
They might say that, but I've never encountered a problem.
Of course, the women who become your lovers find it more or less acceptable, but you don't know how many women ended relationships, or backed away from one because of it.
So9
Not to brag or anything, but it has been my experience that if you are a good, conscientious lover, you can get what you want out of making love. This might sound trite, but good sex is about so much more than just the physical aspect of things. While a person might say or think things when "normal", once in the throws of passion, things look differently, so to speak.
Which is why it should be left up to him.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but "sole custody" does not mean "has no rights." If that's what we're to make of it, then all those fathers' rights groups here should just STFU?
If both parents don't agree on the need for cosmetic surgery, it shouldn't be done. Period.
Having been the object of a custody dispute, that is my interpretation as well.
I've broken up with girls over that. A lot of Southern girls have an issue with playing the skin flute.
Southern girls don't have an issue with helmets, only with anteaters. You proved my point.
You will have to break up with a lot fewer women if you get a trim.
So9
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