Still Arguing After 2 1/2 Years

Posting Date: 03/01/1999

Rhonda: This is actually a call to thank you for speaking out against circumcision. When I was pregnant two and a half years ago, my husband heard you on the radio and told me your views. We knew we were having a boy and my husband was completely against circumcision. I decided to research the subject myself.

Dr. Dean: That?s an intelligent approach. I want people to think about what they?re doing. This is an archaic practice that has no real value. Go on.

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Rhonda: Well, my last decision was to call and talk to you. I?m glad I did because you made it clear there was no reason to put a child through circumcision. And I took your advice.

Dr. Dean: And the boy?s doing fine, I bet.

Rhonda: He?s two and a half and there have been no problems. No infections or anything. Yet, we had friends and family condemning us for not having him circumcised. We still get into arguments with people about it.

Dr. Dean: I think most of us have heard all the old arguments. Most of them revolve around cleanliness, which is really a non-issue. The answer is simply washing with soap and water. We all have tons of bacteria and women?s genitalia needs to be kept clean too. Americans are so squeamish about these things. It?s time we caught up to the rest of the world.