Edgy Mama

I’m disappearing back into the land of no public Internet connections for a week, so I’ll leave you with something controversial: the long-awaited circumcision post!

When I first became pregnant, Enviro-spouse and I went through many of the discussions that soon-to-be first-time parents engage in, including, but not limited to, whether or not to circumcise the baby should it be male. Initially, E-spouse was noncommittal. I felt strongly that I did not want anyone cutting on my newborn baby, which was primarily an emotional reaction.

So we talked to our pediatrician; we talked to several other doctors; we talked to friends; we researched the subject. Most of what we discovered supported my initial visceral reaction.

Here are a few of the facts and opinions that swayed us to leave our son intact (how ‘bout that terminology—did you know that you are not intact if your parents chose to have your foreskin removed?). Our first child was female—still is, luckily—so we didn’t have to make the actual decision for three years, which, incidentally, served only to confirm our initial leanings towards letting the little bugger retain that bit of skin.

Here are a few of the arguments that held merit for us:

1. America is the only country in the world where the majority of newborn males are circumcised regardless of religious beliefs. Eighty-two percent of men in this world are not circumcised (I couldn’t find any statistics for other worlds).

2. From The American Medical Association’s 1999 report on circumcision: “Recent policy statements issued by professional societies representing Australian, Canadian, and American pediatricians DO NOT recommend routine circumcision of male newborns. The most recent statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics reads as follows: ‘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.’”

3. There have been past studies suggesting that rates of penile cancer are higher for uncircumcised males. Again, the AMA states: “Penile cancer is a rare disease in the United States (0.9 to 1 per 100,000). Among uncircumcised men the incidence is estimated to be 2.2/100,000. Nevertheless, because this disease is rare and occurs later in life, the use of circumcision as a preventive practice is not justified.” The AMA lists primary causes of penile cancer as genital warts, a high number of sexual partners, and cigarette smoking. So next time you see someone light up, you can say, “Do you know you are increasing your chances of penile cancer?” Great pick-up line, isn’t it?

4. More from the AMA: “A majority of boys born in the United States still undergo non-ritual circumcisions. This occurs in large measure because parental decision-making is based on social or cultural expectations, rather than medical concerns. In a contemporary study, nearly half of those physicians performing circumcisions did not discuss the potential medical risks and benefits of elective circumcision prior to delivery of the infant son. Deferral of discussion until after birth, combined with the fact that many parents’ decisions about circumcision are preconceived, contribute to the high rate of elective circumcision. Major factors in parental decision-making are the father’s circumcision status, opinions of family members and friends, a desire for conformity in their son’s appearance, and the belief that the circumcised penis is easier to care for with respect to local hygiene.”

5. As with any surgery, there can be complications. The AMA: “Two large series detected a complication rate between 0.2% and 0.6% in circumcised infants.” This is pretty low, and some groups tout higher figures. I’m not going to quote from the AMA’s list of complications, because, trust me, you don’t want to read it. It’s kind of like reading the small print in the brochures accompanying your prescription drugs.

6. DO not believe anyone who tells you that circumcision is not painful. If you are going to have your child circumcised, please INSIST on anesthesia. Again from the AMA: “Ordinary humanitarian sentiment prevents consideration of circumcision without anesthesia. Although it has been assumed that there are no long-term psychological sequelae from this procedure, circumcised infants who were not anesthetized at the time of the procedure show stronger pain responses to vaccinations at 4 and 6 months of age than do uncircumcised infants or infants who received a topical anesthetic cream at the time of circumcision.”

7. Regarding the hygiene concern: perhaps when most people did not have indoor plumbing, keeping the foreskin clean was an issue, but then, lice were an issue too. Cleaning an uncircumcised penis is a lot easier than cleaning the folds and crevices of the vulva and labia. Yet, female circumcision is a FELONY crime in this country. Doctors actually say that, like the vagina, an uncircumcised penis is basically self-cleaning.

8. Regarding conformity: there seems to be a significant movement, particularly in funky towns like Asheville, not to circumcise (see above reasons). After talking to lots of people, we figure at least half of the guys who will share a locker room with our son will be intact as well. In fact, if we move back out West, less than 35 percent of the boys in the locker room will be circumcised.

9. Regarding the father’s status: Like most men of his generation, E-spouse is circumcised. So far, our little guy hasn’t noticed any difference between him and Daddy. He has noticed, however, that I don’t have a penis. I’m hoping this doesn’t traumatize him too much.

10. Now for the good stuff: according to Canadian pathologist John Taylor, MB, the foreskin is one of the key erogenous zones of the male body. Its 240 feet of nerves and 1,000 nerve endings are similar to those on the fingers and lips. Supposedly, from a sexual pleasure standpoint, circumcised men don’t know what they are missing. It turns out that one of the reasons circumcision is widespread in America is because Victorian-era doctors instated it to decrease penile sensitivity, thus, curing both promiscuity and masturbation in one fell swoop. And we all know how well that worked. After discovering some of the supposed sexual benefits of saving thousands of sensitive nerve endings from extinction, Enviro-spouse said, “I want my foreskin back!”

In summary, the AMA says, “Virtually all current policy statements from specialty societies and medical organizations do not recommend routine neonatal circumcision, and support the provision of accurate and unbiased information to parents to inform their choice.” This is what it’s all about folks—informed choice. We all make decisions about our children—thousands of times during their lives. When there is the opportunity to make an informed choice, to look at the pros and cons, and make the best decision we can for our child and our family, we should, as parents, take that opportunity seriously.

I used the AMA’s report on circumcision, because they are a fairly conservative group that does not make recommendations without extensive research and statistical analysis. If you Google their report, there are several rebuttals that pop up—I initially assumed they were taking the AMA’s non-circumcision recommendation to task—instead, the rebuttals are pushing the AMA to be more hardcore in their non-circumcision policy.

Warning about the more militant non-circumcision sites: some of them do focus on the few, truly gruesome, and fairly rare, circumcision mishaps.

On a miscellaneous note, before I had a son, I heard stories about newborn boys peeing all over the place every time their diaper was changed. Our son did this maybe twice. Why? The rush of air over the exposed glans causes a circumcised penis to react—i.e., let loose with a stream of urine—but if the glans is protected, as it naturally is, no such reaction occurs.

Despite the fact that my own father practically disowned me for not circumcising his only male offspring, to the extent of refusing to visit me and baby after his birth (mature, no?), this decision has consistently felt like the right one for my son and our family.

Finally, for a bit of fun (Thanks, Neil), visit Intact Celebrities.

You’re To Kill a Mockingbird!

by Harper Lee

Perceived as a revolutionary and groundbreaking person, you have
changed the minds of many people. While questioning the authority around you, you’ve
also taken a significant amount of flack. But you’ve had the admirable guts to
persevere. There’s a weird guy in the neighborhood using dubious means to protect you,
but you’re pretty sure it’s worth it in the end. In the end, it remains unclear to you
whether finches and mockingbirds get along in real life.

Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Unfortunately, I don’t think the weird guy in our neighborhood has my best interests at heart!

The New York Times is listing London blogs about the bombings in its sidebar. The Wikipedia page is particularly well-done and includes transcripts from world leaders and information on area hospitals. There are also hundreds of photos in this Flickr pool–some of which have been picked up by the mainstream media.

I’m feeling heartbroken over this morning’s terrorist attacks in London. As a college student, I spent a summer living in Russell Square, where the double-decker bus was blown up by a suicide bomber today. Later, I returned to London,and lived there for 2 1/2 years. I worked a few blocks away from King’s Cross station and rode the tube through Edgeware Road to King’s Cross almost every day. Both were sites of explosions today.

I lived in London throughout the Gulf War, and there was one bomb and several bomb scares that I remember. The bomb went off at Victoria Station, on the platform below the one I used every morning, and killed a man. Because I lived behind Victoria Station, there were several occasions that my entire neighborhood was cordoned off by the police because of a bomb scare. It was irritating, boring, and frightening–all at the same time.

I find myself wanting, just for a few seconds, to see into the mind of a suicide bomber. What is that person thinking as he presses the button that will end his life and the lives of those nearby? How does he chose where to sit on the bus? Does he think, that old man looks mean, I’ll sit next to him? Or that child in that mother’s lap is acting obnoxious, I’ll sit next to them? Can he even look at the faces around him? Does he pause, think of his parents, wonder for a split second if what he’s doing is wrong?

To all of you in London who are in pain–physical, emotional, or mental–all the world is reeling with you.

I’m taking a deep breath and letting go, for the moment. Here’s the query letter. I’ve rewritten it 8,000 times, and I still think the summary of my novel sounds, well, trite, uninteresting, and weird. If any of you submit this letter to the website I found earlier today, I will pluck out your heart and feed it to Mr. Squirrel. Thanks, in advance, for your feedback.

Dear Agent:

I am seeking representation for an 82,000 word novel entitled Janus Watchers. Equal parts eco-thriller and science fiction novel, Janus Watchers takes readers on an unforgettable journey of suspense. Readers who enjoy the contemporary myth-making and character-driven plots of writers such as Kelley Armstrong and Sharyn McCrumb will love this book.

A short summary of the novel follows:

The Grey Man, “Bigfoot” of the Scottish Highlands, attacks a young couple camping on Ben MacDhui. Suzy Suzuki and Alan Reilly of The Center for Cryptozoological Research cross the Atlantic to help Constable Donaldson investigate the crime.
While pursuing the Grey Man, the investigators discover a parallel universe of strange and legendary creatures—creatures who occasionally cross over into other worlds, despite the vigilance of the Janus Watchers, who are the guardians of the doorways between realities.
While in Asgarth, the threesome discover that both this world and the one they’ve left behind are facing cataclysmic environmental destruction. With the help of the young girl, Avatar, and a few of the creatures they meet along the way, the investigators embark on an adventure that may curb the devastation. However, one of Reilly’s and Suzuki’s former colleagues will do whatever he can to keep them from succeeding.
Set in the near future, Janus Watchers encompasses themes of loyalty, revenge, betrayal, and love within the larger venues of environmental degradation, Old Norse mythology, and apocalyptic legend.

I have a master’s degree in English literature and studied creative writing under Pulitzer Prize winner Peter Taylor at the University of Georgia. I have taught English and journalism courses at both the high school and college levels, and I’ve written and edited publications for several academic and nonprofit organizations.

My debut novel, Storm Mountain, was published through Authorhouse in 2001. I own all rights to Storm Mountain and have sold approximately 400 copies of the book, to near universal acclaim. I actively market my writing through my website, weblog, and public speaking.

Enclosed is a self-addressed stamped envelope. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Anne Fitten Glenn

I haven’t been blogging much because I’m trying to get a packet of my writing out to the Yosemite Writers Conference before we leave town on Saturday. One of the “contests” that the conference is sponsoring is a query letter competition. So, I’ve been slaving over a query letter for Janus Watchers. A few minutes ago, I decided I’d do one more editing pass, then post it here to get some feedback from y’all. Then, in a moment of weakness, I went on-line for further inspiration, and this is what I found!

I briefly met Elizabeth Kostova Friday night. If you haven’t heard, Kostova is the writer who purportedly received a $2 million advance for her debut novel, The Historian. The novel is being touted as the next huge bestseller (a la The DaVinci Code).

It turns out that Kostova lived in Asheville at some point and worked at The Captain’s Bookshelf, where she signed books on Friday.

“You realize that you’re like the Holy Grail now to struggling writers,” I said. Luckily, Kostova laughed.

We chatted for a few minutes, and I mentioned that I’m in the process of finishing my second novel.

“I’m glad to hear about someone writing a second novel,” she said. I blink at her, thinking, ummmm, if I’d gotten $2M for my first, I might not be particularly motivated to write a second one either. But I kept my mouth shut.

I’m four chapters into The Historian. It is definitely an engaging and well-written read–although rather dense and formal in tone. I’m not sure if it’s as accessible as TDVC, although it is about one of the more intriguing historical personages ever–Vlad Tepes, aka Vlad the Impaler, aka Dracula. I forgot to mention to Kostova that I, too, have a soft spot for Romanian legend.

“Mom, Mr. Squirrel’s in the house.”

I charge down the stairs and onto our screened-in porch to see two kids and one cat confronting one small gray squirrel, who is chattering angrily. On one hand, Mr. Squirrel is practically family. He lives in the hickory tree that shades our home, spends mealtimes eating out of our bird feeder, and entertains the kids by letting them chase him. The kids have their own mantra/handshake: they put their hands together, throw them up in the air, and yell, “Wild Kids. Squirrel Chasers.” Then they run out the back door to chase Mr. Squirrel away from the bird feeder. On the other hand, he has fleas, so he is not allowed in the house.

About three weeks ago, our son punched a hole through one of the screens, which he immediately blamed on the cats. It was through this hole that Mr. Squirrel gained entry to the porch. I quickly closed the doors into the main part of the house and opened the screen doors to the outside–and the chase began. Mr. Squirrel kept avoiding the doors and climbing up into the exposed eaves. Rocky, the fat cat, was intrigued, but he learned long ago that Mr. Squirrel too fast for him to catch.

Eventually, after much yelling, sweating, and waving of plastic swords, we banished Mr. Squirrel back to his tree. I’ve fixed the broken screen with safety pins, which, although not a deterrent to mosquitoes, should prevent Mr. Squirrel’s reentry.

After it was all over, my son, said, “Mom, that was so much fun.”