Posted on 06/14/2006 3:06:23 PM PDT by Cagey
An Arlington Heights father will appear in court today to fight what he says is a plan to "mutilate" his 8-year-old son by circumcising him.
The boy's mother argues that without circumcision his recurring infections will only get worse.
The divorced couple is embroiled in a bitter fight that will see national experts flying in to testify before a Cook County judge. Their battle reflects a national debate on circumcision -- a procedure that has dropped in popularity in the United States over the last 25 years.
Is it medically necessary?
"My child is healthy and he doesn't want this to happen to him," the father said. "He's completely comfortable. I don't see any reason to do it."
But the boy's mother, who lives in Northbrook, said several doctors have told her that without circumcision earlier infections are likely to continue returning.
"Curing the infection isn't the issue -- it's stopping it from coming back. And the doctors have said the way to do that is by circumcision," said her attorney, Tracy Rizzo. "But now, [the father] has made this more of a political issue and nothing to do with medicine."
The couple -- he's a Polish native, she's Slovak -- married in 1996 and divorced in 2000.
The divorce decree gives the father input on major medical decisions. In February, a judge was asked to intervene and a restraining order was granted, preventing the mother from having the boy circumcised until after today's hearing.
Dr. Antonio Chaviano of Children's Memorial Hospital said fewer U.S. boys are being circumcised at birth, but it's even more rare to see the procedure done on an older boy.
Chaviano was not familiar with the 8-year-old's case, but acknowledged that sometimes circumcision is medically necessary for older boys. But he saw no reason for a boy to undergo the procedure if it wasn't needed. "You're opening a real Pandora's box," he said.
Those on both sides of the issue cite studies showing risks for infections and injuries. In a 1999 study, the American Academy of Pediatrics found no overwhelming evidence to support or oppose circumcision.
Attorneys for the father, Alan Toback and John D'Arco, are working with Georgia attorney David Llewellyn, whose expertise is circumcision cases. "Given [the boy's] age and the absolute lack of any medical necessity, any benefit to the child ... is far outweighed by the detriments," Toback said.
But Rizzo, attorney for the boy's mother, says medicine and proper cleaning instructions have not helped her son -- and the mother insists circumcision is needed.
Rizzo says the father repeatedly misses child-support payments and is opposed to his ex-wife's new marriage -- a claim the father denies.
"She just cares about her child," Rizzo said, "and wants to give him the best medical care necessary."
One more peep out of you and I'll slice you up like a smoked sturgeon.
"It won't be long now."
He seems to have an incredibly firm grasp of the obvious.
Actually I had a Rabbi tell me once that circumcision was a manifestation of Jewish optimism: before they even know how big it's gonna be, they cut a little off.
Jerry: "Hey, Elaine...you ever see one?" [That wasn't circumcised.]
Elaine: Shakes her head up and down. "Yeah."
Jerry: "What did ya think?"
Elaine: Shakes her head side to side. "Mmm...no. It had no face. No personality."
Fore skin and seven years ago...
The only thing I know for sure about this: two parents arguing in court about their kid's penis isn't doing the kid any good at all. Get it together people before you give the little guy a complex.
that's a different procedure.
Getting your penis whacked at the ripe old age of 8 can't be good either. Poor kid. I keep thinking of Sat. Night Live and Rabbi Teclitz....
good one
OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!!!
(Been married twice, one with, one without. Without is so much nicer!! Dad ain't going to be on the receiving end in 20 years)
Well, what's worse... one more doctor visit under anesthesia, or the pain and humiliation of many more doctor visits for frequent infections? It seems to me they tried the natural way, and maybe it isn't good for this kid.
I was debating on posting that too. Good one!
(Been married twice, one with, one without. Without is so much nicer!!
That's a little too much info there KK, but I'll take your word for it.
But believe me I'm not in any hurry to see one that isn't. I'd probably start laughing and think of Elaine's comments :)
"You can censure me, just dont circumsize me."-- Kinky Friedman candidate Texas Gov.
Judge rules against boy’s circumcision
"In a case that has been closely watched by anti-circumcision groups nationwide, a Cook County judge ruled Tuesday that the medical benefits of the procedure are not clear enough to compel a 9-year-old Northbrook boy to be circumcised against his will." - Chicago Tribune, October 24, 2006
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