circumcision?

[hopefulfor09]

I never understand why these threads get so heated. It's unfortunate, considering OP was just asking for sensible points or arguments.Simply saying it's mutilation and cruel really isn't a sensible argument is it? Just loaded with criticism and judgement really.

I don't typically read these threads but am just starting to think about circumcision because I may be having a boy - and figure it's a decision I better start thinking about.

I can't take very many posts in here too seriously though as they are so loaded with judgement.

Who is anyone to judge what someone else decides to do with their child's penis? I understand it's not common practice in the UK and most of Europe but it's quite common in North America. I am not yet sure if it's something I would consider, but I know one thing for sure - I would never judge someone for having a different view on the subject than I do.

OP - I hope you make your own decision based on what you believe and what you come up with in your research.

 

[ttc_lolly]

I meant circumcising for non religious reasons in the western world, so Egypt doesn't even come into it

If we just stopped vaccinating we would lose herd immunity and these rare diseases would be rare no longer. Of course there are risks that run with vaccs. But these are very low in comparison to those of circumcision.

 

[Samiam03]

With my first pregnancy I was so sure from the start I would circumcise if it was a boy. I honestly have never seen an uncircumcised male (and I've had 5 guys that I was intimate with so I have some experience) and thought it was just what you do. Well when I saw my son on the ultrasound for the first time, I immediately thought about circumcision. I realized I absolutely couldn't do it...my son was perfect just the way he was and I couldn't fathom changing him. When we walked out of the ultrasound I told my husband I wasn't circumcising. At that point I hadn't even done research...now that I've read up on it I am even more glad I didn't do it..

I have never had issues with my sons foreskin...tbh I am more scared about having a girl because how easy it is for them to get infected down there and you have to clean extra well. My son I just wipe and I'm done.

I also believe it is their body, their choice. Like ear peircing is traditional in my family to do it at 6 weeks but I refuse to pierce my girl's ears until she asks. Not my body, not my choice. I don't want to start off their lives already thinking they have to alter themselves to be desirable by society...they will face enough of that in the media and from peers. I want them to know their parents think they are perfect.

 

[daisy72]

I never understand why these threads get so heated. It's unfortunate, considering OP was just asking for sensible points or arguments.Simply saying it's mutilation and cruel really isn't a sensible argument is it? Just loaded with criticism and judgement really.

I don't typically read these threads but am just starting to think about circumcision because I may be having a boy - and figure it's a decision I better start thinking about.

I can't take very many posts in here too seriously though as they are so loaded with judgement.

Who is anyone to judge what someone else decides to do with their child's penis? I understand it's not common practice in the UK and most of Europe but it's quite common in North America. I am not yet sure if it's something I would consider, but I know one thing for sure - I would never judge someone for having a different view on the subject than I do.

OP - I hope you make your own decision based on what you believe and what you come up with in your research.

100% in agreement.
I am a moderator at a local adhd-parents forum, and we have a strict rule not to discuss subjects such as breastfeeding vs. formula feeding, vaccination, working mother vs. domestic engineer etc. They all turn into a "holy war" sooner or later, usually sooner

 

[hopefulfor09]

Its apparently just a cultural difference...in the US we do a lot of things like baby showers that aren't as common in the UK and this just happens to be another. It's a decision that should always be up to the parents and their care provider

Shouldn't it be the choice of the person whose penis is being cut?

I don't think a baby shower is comparable in terms of traditions. It's more akin to ear piercing at birth. And even that isn't a perfect comparison, as you can always take earrings out if you don't like them when you're older. You can't reattach a foreskin if you decide you'd like it back.

To the OP - google circumcision. There are comparison pictures of circ'd and intact penises, information on how to care for an intact penis (basically don't touch it!), and some other bits.

Apparently only 40% of American baby boys are now being circumcised, down from about 80% in the 1980s. It's not a majority anymore, and the number is falling every year.

It's actually 54.4% in the US - as of March 2012 and it's peak was (surprisingly in 1999 when it was almost 63%). For a good article from the Amercian Medical Association here is the link:

https://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/27/prse0302.htm

The American Academy of Pediatrics' is actually re-examining their neutral stance on the issue. Interesting.

I see pros and cons to both for sure. There seems to be a lot of conflicting evidence out there. Like being a mama isn't hard enough!

 

[greenfaerie]

I don't understand why circumcision is done by anyone really. :S It's a permament alteration made to someone without their consent. If they decide to do it later on that is them exersizing their free will, but I don't think anything should be done to someone without their consent unless it is medically necessary.

I don't think that any of the arguments for circumcision justify it being done, especially not ones for traditional or religious reasons, since mistakes are often made in the name of both things.

I think it's just unnecessary, and if I was going to do anything unnecessarily it certainly wouldn't be cutting a piece of skin off of someone that would never grow back. :S

 

[Jaylynne]

Its apparently just a cultural difference...in the US we do a lot of things like baby showers that aren't as common in the UK and this just happens to be another. It's a decision that should always be up to the parents and their care provider

Shouldn't it be the choice of the person whose penis is being cut?

I don't think a baby shower is comparable in terms of traditions. It's more akin to ear piercing at birth. And even that isn't a perfect comparison, as you can always take earrings out if you don't like them when you're older. You can't reattach a foreskin if you decide you'd like it back.

To the OP - google circumcision. There are comparison pictures of circ'd and intact penises, information on how to care for an intact penis (basically don't touch it!), and some other bits.

Apparently only 40% of American baby boys are now being circumcised, down from about 80% in the 1980s. It's not a majority anymore, and the number is falling every year.

It's actually 54.4% in the US - as of March 2012 and it's peak was (surprisingly in 1999 when it was almost 63%). For a good article from the Amercian Medical Association here is the link:

https://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/27/prse0302.htm

The American Academy of Pediatrics' is actually re-examining their neutral stance on the issue. Interesting.

I see pros and cons to both for sure. There seems to be a lot of conflicting evidence out there. Like being a mama isn't hard enough!

Good link

Oh, and I do have the right to decide whether or not I get my LO circumcised. Legally. Just like I can keep tattoos off him til 18 or body piercings. DH and I made the best decision we can for our LO on his behalf. Any lower cancer risks or other illnesses is worth it. You can disagree, call names or say things are mutilation but I really don't care. I don't need to defend my actions as I made the right choice for my family.

 

[Abby75]

Being from the UK, I'm against it. Only from the point of view, if its not broken, why try to fix it. If however, it was medically required, I would ofc have it done ONLY for the health of my child.

For OP, do what you feel is right for you and your child. I'm guessing it's a harder decision to make in the US.

(In the UK, your son may be able to take legal action against persons involved, under human rights legislation for genital mutilation and psychological distress.
In Germany it is illegal.)

 

[brieri1]

Circumcision is a personal choice for you and your husband to make alone, should you have a boy. There are benefits and cons to both sides of the argument and what other people feel is best for them and their son, maybe not be what's best for you and your family. Whether you decide to circumcise or not to circumcise, you are making the right choice. It is your son and your decision. You may decide not to circumcise and have to do it later for medical reasons, or you might circumcise at birth and have immediate problems, either way, you can't know before hand which outcome will come to pass. Good luck to you, and have a happy and healthy pregnancy.

 

[mommytobe11]

i hate the judgement from both sides on these threads.

we are circumcising our son and i don't think its fair for people that disagree to say such harsh comments. and vice versa. OH thinks it should be the man's decision anyway and i agree. i've never had a penis, what do i know?

also, my OH is circumcised and he isn't traumatized from the procedure

 

[kayyheyy]

i hate the judgement from both sides on these threads.

we are circumcising our son and i don't think its fair for people that disagree to say such harsh comments. and vice versa. OH thinks it should be the man's decision anyway and i agree. i've never had a penis, what do i know?

also, my OH is circumcised and he isn't traumatized from the procedure

I agree!

 

[kayyheyy]

Also, for saying parents dont have the right and it needs to be the childs decision... what about when it comes to medical treatment? should the parents not have a say in what is done to treat an illness or should it be up to the baby, since it is their body? So the baby should decide later in life if they want vaccinations, or the seasonal flu shot... or to have their tonsils out?

(not being sarcastic, legitimately serious)

 

[Heather1]

Also, for saying parents dont have the right and it needs to be the childs decision... what about when it comes to medical treatment? should the parents not have a say in what is done to treat an illness or should it be up to the baby, since it is their body? So the baby should decide later in life if they want vaccinations, or the seasonal flu shot... or to have their tonsils out?

(not being sarcastic, legitimately serious)

To answer your legitimate questions...

The baby will grow up to be an adult, capable of making his own decisions. In regards to your query, I think what most of us are referring to are MEDICALLY NECESSARY procedures. If he needs his tonsils out because having them in his body is a threat to his health, then no... His permission is not called for. Same with vaccines... If they are needed, than it is different than cosmetic procedures (because let's just be a little honest here... that's why many circumcisions are done). If a parent is permanently and unnecessarily altering his anatomy (without medical necessity), then that is a choice that IN MY OPINION should be left to the child (who will grow to be an adult and can decide for himself).

 

[nov_mum]

Also, for saying parents dont have the right and it needs to be the childs decision... what about when it comes to medical treatment? should the parents not have a say in what is done to treat an illness or should it be up to the baby, since it is their body? So the baby should decide later in life if they want vaccinations, or the seasonal flu shot... or to have their tonsils out?

(not being sarcastic, legitimately serious)

I think the issue is that an illness or medical condition needs treating imediately. Vaccinations are to prevent illness that is an immediate and real threat. Circumcision is not often a life saving tool and only when there is a medical condition related to it, does it become an acute problem. The idea of lowering cancer risk (penile cancer is 2% in the normal population so it is incredibly rare already) and STI risk is not a potentially life saving measure. STI's are not prevented by circumcision, STI's are prevented by condoms and education. Aside from medical conditions of the foreskin there is no pressing need (aside from personal choice) to remove the foreskin. No one gets flu jabs for kicks or has surgery/takes pills because their dad did etc. It is each parents choice, some people just question whether it is a choice a parent HAS to make. Without discussion and debate we wouldn't have our babies room in with us and we would still be in hospital for weeks in confinement once we had a baby.

In some countries it is still legal to hit your child and discipline them with violence. In some countries it is not. Circumcision is common in some countries and viewed as culturally important. In others it is not. The country I live in generally views it as unnecessary. It's a cultural norm for me to leave my boys intact. I make this decision not just on norms though, I looked in to it after promises of less infection and lowering risk of cancer. When I saw the stats, for me it was not impressive enough to risk the procedure, open my baby up to the potential adverse problems or to remove part of his body. We all have the choice and I hope people make their decisions on an informed basis.

 

[wishfulmom2b]

"what about when it comes to medical treatment? should the parents not have a say in what is done to treat an illness or should it be up to the baby, since it is their body? So the baby should decide later in life if they want vaccinations, or the seasonal flu shot... or to have their tonsils out?"

of course if it needed to be removed for a medical reason (too tight, too much skin, infection, etc.) i WOULD NOT HESITATE TO HAVE IT REMOVED. of course an infant cant make this decision..

 

[miss cakes]

i dont really think it should be compared to vaccines or choice in medical procedures as getting your baby circumcised isnt done for the same reason its not a life saving procedure nor is it necessary (unless it becomes necessary) as ive said before its not a big thing in the uk i dont know any parents who have had their child circumcised and i wouldnt even know how to go about getting it done if i wanted to for my son it does seem to be alot less common now as ive only ever had one boyfriend that WASNT circumcised and thats in the uk where its not common oddly enough
i dont think its right though to say people who do do it are mutilating their children thats going a bit too far imo everyones got their own reasons for doing or not doing it and we were all quite happy to explain the whys until the judgements started flying really no need for that its a shame

 

[Cetarari]

We won't be circumcising sprout (if he or she is a boy). It's not at all common here and I don't want it done unless medically necessary.

 

[corgankidd]

I will definitely not be circumcising! My husband is uncut, and he wants his son to be too.
My friend who just had a little boy got him circumcised and the skin on the tip started healing to the skin on the shaft so everytime she diapered him she had to put this cream on him that slowly burned the skin so it would separate. She says he cried everytime and if she could take back circumcising him she would. The skin never fully separated so now part of the head of his penis is fused to the shaft. She also said that when it was done, they took him from her, strapped him to a board and wouldn't let her be with him. When he returned he was screaming and beat red.
I just don't think it is worth it at all. We are so judgmental of other countries that do female circumcision, I don't see what is so different about male circumcision. Seems barbaric to me, especially after hearing her story. I do understand why some people do it though, its just not for me.

 

[flowergirl82]

My husband and I are both Jewish and we will of course be circumsicing if bump turns out to be a boy.

In all honesty, I've seen it done dozens of times, and yes, they babies more often than not have a quick cry, but then they're fast asleep again within a couple of minutes! I actually find it quite amazing.

Never have I seen a baby screaming it's lungs off. We'll obviously never know, but I really don't think it's that traumatic.

It's a religious practice for us, and it's what we'll do.

I know it's not quite the same, but going slightly off topic - but how many small babies do you see with their ears pierced? I doubt they gave permission for that at a few months old!

 

[ttc_lolly]

^^^ I don't agree with piercing babies either any body modifications is not ok in my books!

Although I dislike ear piercings on small babies too, at LEAST piercings can heal. Foreskins can't grow back.