Circumcision vs. Not

[amelia26]

My Grandad had all his teeth taken out on his 21st birthday. They actually DID used to do that when oral hygiene was poor!

 

[Kkb111211]

If this baby is a boy, we will NOT be circumsising him. I left the final decision up to my husband who is also uncircumcised. We did discuss it and we both feel that at least for us, circumsision is unnesessary. If our son would want to do it it the future then we are 100% fine with that. We just didn't feel like this was our decision to make FOR him.

 

[cutieq]

Mine comes down to a personal preference that we're making for our child. From my research, beliefs, discussions with doctors, and other moms of sons and dh's experiences - it has health benefits, hygiene benefits and is simply more "normal". My son will not have any recollection of the event or the pain that he may endure. I will make many other decisions for him before he can make them on his own. He was entrusted to me and I can only have faith that I'm making the right decision for him. Maybe it's the wrong one. Maybe he will hate me for it. Most likely he won't care and the same goes for those that are left uncircumcised.

Appreciate the responses of opinion and non-judgement. Hopefully this post was more "civil".

 

[Mississippi03]

If your gonna catch HIV your gonna catch it circumsized or not. I'm from the us and all my boyfriends have been uncircumcised. I don't think it's unclean at all. I prefer it that way!

Not in relation to hiv specifically but her comment wasnt totally false. If you look at the rate of transmission (im only speaking in male/female relationships bc thats what i know the info about) the rate of female getting from males is higher then males getting it from females. This is due to a larger mucous membrane which sti's can penetrate easier. In men who are uncircumsized the area underneath foreskin is considered a mucous membrane which therefore Could increase their risk of getting something. But again, teach your kids safe sex lol thats our job as parents

 

[AmandaBanana]

I've been with men who are circumsized and they absolutely hate that they were because of the lessened sensitivity. They ate totally bitter about it.

 

[cutieq]

I've been with men who are circumsized and they absolutely hate that they were because of the lessened sensitivity. They ate totally bitter about it.

How do they know the difference?

 

[Strawberrii]

Although I was told that this baby is possibly a girl, if I was to have any boys in the future I would most certainly circumcise them no question about it. I feel as though the benefits of having it far outweigh any risks.

 

[Mushymilkfor2]

I've been with men who are circumsized and they absolutely hate that they were because of the lessened sensitivity. They ate totally bitter about it.

How do they know the difference?

There's no way for them to personally know the difference, but from a biological standpoint it is obvious that uncircumcised has more sensitive areas. My husband is circumsized and wishes he wasn't, not because he KNOWS it's better but is known to be more sensitive.

It's always something that can be done later if my son chooses, but it's not something that can be undone. While as a parent I will make a lot of choices for him, even some regarding his body, I don't feel it's right to make that choice for him.

But again, to each their own. I don't have to like your choice, but I do respect it.

 

[AmandaBanana]

I've been with men who are circumsized and they absolutely hate that they were because of the lessened sensitivity. They ate totally bitter about it.

How do they know the difference?

I
There's no way for them to personally know the difference, but from a biological standpoint it is obvious that uncircumcised has more sensitive areas. My husband is circumsized and wishes he wasn't, not because he KNOWS it's better but is known to be more sensitive.

It's always something that can be done later if my son chooses, but it's not something that can be undone. While as a parent I will make a lot of choices for him, even some regarding his body, I don't feel it's right to make that choice for him.

But again, to each their own. I don't have to like your choice, but I do respect it.

Exactly this.
They know it's different and know it's more sensitive and wish they knew that feeling and feel like that choice with their body was taken from them and that it's not fair. My hubby is glad he wasn't because he's happy to have the extra sensitivity. Even if they'd never "know the difference" they know there's one.

 

[jessmke]

I think in Canada it is similar to the US in that circumcision is pretty normal. I know many girls who have never been with a man who was uncircumcised, I on the other hand have never been with a man who was circumcised. My hubby is not circumcised, but he has said that if we have a boy he would like to circumcise him purely for the reason of "fitting in". I guess he had a bad experience or two with girls when he was younger who were a bit shocked by his penis since they had never seen an uncircumcised penis before. I can understand how as a teenage/young adult that would be an extremely uncomfortable and embarrassing situation, but I still don't think that is a good reason to opt for circumcision. Hubby felt better when I told him it was all I've ever known, and that I prefer it that way, as I always choose natural if I have a choice. I told him I wouldn't want to do it if we had a boy, and I think he will be fine with that, especially since the norm is quickly changing to not circumcising.

 

[Aliop]

We had planned to circumcise our first son in 2008, made the appt and then he was born and there was no way I could do it to him so I told my husband if he was keen for it to be done he had to take him and hold him and look after the aftermath as there was no way I was willing to. Him being the rational steady type he is then did some research and attempted to watch a circumcision and decided he couldn't inflict unnecessary pain on him either so we didn't get it done. Totally happy with the choice!

Second son in 2012 and he was born with a foreskin issue and the paeds felt if it didn't correct itself by two years he'd need to be circumcised (under GA)but thankfully it corrected itself

Son number three due in October and he won't be circumcised either unless medically necessary.

I don't feel 'judgy' if others chose circumcision for their sons, it just isn't something we could do to ours

 

[mhk425]

I think in Canada it is similar to the US in that circumcision is pretty normal. I know many girls who have never been with a man who was uncircumcised, I on the other hand have never been with a man who was circumcised. My hubby is not circumcised, but he has said that if we have a boy he would like to circumcise him purely for the reason of "fitting in". I guess he had a bad experience or two with girls when he was younger who were a bit shocked by his penis since they had never seen an uncircumcised penis before. I can understand how as a teenage/young adult that would be an extremely uncomfortable and embarrassing situation, but I still don't think that is a good reason to opt for circumcision. Hubby felt better when I told him it was all I've ever known, and that I prefer it that way, as I always choose natural if I have a choice. I told him I wouldn't want to do it if we had a boy, and I think he will be fine with that, especially since the norm is quickly changing to not circumcising.

This. My husband is circumcised but said that when growing up, the boys who weren't were ridiculed very badly. It may seem like a bad reason to do it, but bullying is more than just words. It can be life-altering/threatening. Almost everyone here does it. My son was circumcised and literally didn't cry a single tear. The dr said that bc of the methods used, the heel sticks he had to get were likely more painful (and he SCREAMED during those). That all being said, it's a personal choice for the parents, and I don't judge either way. As someone mentioned earlier, we're going to be in the position to make a lot of difficult decisions for or children. We can only do our best.

 

[mhk425]

We had planned to circumcise our first son in 2008, made the appt and then he was born and there was no way I could do it to him so I told my husband if he was keen for it to be done he had to take him and hold him and look after the aftermath as there was no way I was willing to. Him being the rational steady type he is then did some research and attempted to watch a circumcision and decided he couldn't inflict unnecessary pain on him either so we didn't get it done. Totally happy with the choice!

Second son in 2012 and he was born with a foreskin issue and the paeds felt if it didn't correct itself by two years he'd need to be circumcised (under GA)but thankfully it corrected itself

Son number three due in October and he won't be circumcised either unless medically necessary.

I don't feel 'judgy' if others chose circumcision for their sons, it just isn't something we could do to ours

TBH, saying "it's not something we could do to ours" seems quite a bit 'judgy,'/insulting. It's basically saying, "Go ahead and torture your kid if that's what you want." But again, my son was completely fine after having it done.

 

[macydarling]

That's crazy that some of your hubby's were ridiculed for being uncircumcised. I'm in the US as well and my husband is uncut and never had that issue. His was the first uncut I have seen (though I haven't seen too many penises tbh lol) and I could tell something was different but it really wasn't that noticible to me. My doctor said it's becoming less common in the US (to be circumcised) so I think my son will fit in with his generation just fine (we aren't having it done- stated my reasons a few pages back).

 

[amelia26]

I'm in the UK and when my son was circumcised I was worried if people would tease etc when he was at school (he also only has one teste so he is generally different down there). So I understand that concern. It still wouldn't justify circumcision for me personally.

Also - although being intact is the norm here I have been with two British men who were circumcised (one for religious and one for medical reasons) and it had never been an issue for them.

 

[AmandaBanana]

To me to "fit in" just seems sad reason.
I'm not stick thin but I don't work out like crazy to fit in with that "norm".
Sure it made me feel bad sometimes growing up or in a relationship. But then I just learned to say "**** them" and I moved on and found my dh who loves me exactly how im made.
If someone makes fun of your son then that's not someone he needs in his life. And to do that just cause of other people's judgement might happen, just seems a step backwards in acceptance. Body confidence can be learned.

And I've honestly never met a single person who was critiqued for being intact. Especially as time moves on, more people are going for that anyways, chances are our sons will be part of a generation where it's fine, not like past generations.

Just my opinion

 

[Aliop]

We had planned to circumcise our first son in 2008, made the appt and then he was born and there was no way I could do it to him so I told my husband if he was keen for it to be done he had to take him and hold him and look after the aftermath as there was no way I was willing to. Him being the rational steady type he is then did some research and attempted to watch a circumcision and decided he couldn't inflict unnecessary pain on him either so we didn't get it done. Totally happy with the choice!

Second son in 2012 and he was born with a foreskin issue and the paeds felt if it didn't correct itself by two years he'd need to be circumcised (under GA)but thankfully it corrected itself

Son number three due in October and he won't be circumcised either unless medically necessary.

I don't feel 'judgy' if others chose circumcision for their sons, it just isn't something we could do to ours

TBH, saying "it's not something we could do to ours" seems quite a bit 'judgy,'/insulting. It's basically saying, "Go ahead and torture your kid if that's what you want." But again, my son was completely fine after having it done.

Perhaps that's where the written word can let people down. I have no issue with anyone else doing it -and I did think I would too- but we decided against it after he was born, is just fact; that's exactly how it happened for us. I couldn't care less what other people chose to do, if you chose to read my comment as an implication I believe circumcision to be 'torture' that's your choice as well. However it is not my intention

 

[hanni]

To me to "fit in" just seems sad reason.
I'm not stick thin but I don't work out like crazy to fit in with that "norm".
Sure it made me feel bad sometimes growing up or in a relationship. But then I just learned to say "**** them" and I moved on and found my dh who loves me exactly how im made.
If someone makes fun of your son then that's not someone he needs in his life. And to do that just cause of other people's judgement might happen, just seems a step backwards in acceptance. Body confidence can be learned.

And I've honestly never met a single person who was critiqued for being intact. Especially as time moves on, more people are going for that anyways, chances are our sons will be part of a generation where it's fine, not like past generations.

Just my opinion

It does doesn't it. And to think if everyone just stopped doing it it would become the norm. I see nothing normal about removing a perfectly healthy bit of tissue from someone else's body without their permission.

Surely if it becomes a problem with being bullied for it then they can come to you and ask for it to be removed. At least then it's their own decision.

 

[love.peace]

Absolutely not. It's abuse unless needed for medical reasons. Would you cut your daughters vagina? NO!

 

[diz]

You wouldn't cut the labial lips off...why cut off the foreskin?