Circumcision?

[Joyzerelly]

For those who are interested, here's an informative video comparing a circumsized and uncircumsized penis - scientific computer animation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=uaRBVOnflCM

And this is a link to an article about how circumcision can effect breastfeeding https://www.circumstitions.com/Nursing.html

 

[annawrigley]

I was also shocked at the mother who is going to tell her son to ask the kids who have been circumcised to ask their parents why they cut off their body part! This is NOT right... and IMO is promoting bullying!

If you'd read the post she said "if someone teases my son in the locker room for having an uncircumcised penis I will tell him to ask them why his parents cut off a body part". She wasn't just saying she'd tell him to go and attack circumcised boys, but if he was attacked or made fun of to defend himself! Talk about taking it out of context!

The locker room argument on the whole confuses me. I don't recall every seeing another girl's vagina in school, or them seeing mine. We certainly weren't comparing so why would boys

"I want him to look like daddy" Ahhhhhhhh this irks me so unbelievably much. For a start, why do you care? I can guarantee your child's penis will look different to his dad's circumcised or not, it will be a lot smaller for a start and there'll be no pubic hair! Why do our genitals have to clone our parents'? I don't see why it would be an issue for an uncircumcised boy to ask his circumcised father why their penises were different... Just answer and move on, not a big deal unless you make it one!

The hygiene argument, ridiculous. Who says circumcised penises are cleaner? I don't understand what's so hard to grasp about washing a penis? I have never had a penis or washed a penis and nobody ever 'taught' me how to wash Noah's, I just.... wash it?

Religious argument I don't really know enough about to comment cos I don't know WHY certain religions say it has to be done, but on the whole I tend to not see a lot of difference between doing it for religious reasons and the predominantly American view of "well everyone else does it".

The pain argument makes me want to cry, seriously. Of course babies feel pain, what the hell I literally cringe thinking about anyone cutting any part of my genitals (and remembering the ring of fire ) so why you would want to put your tiny perfect newborn baby through that is beyond me. Even more sick when people choose not to be in the room. Just send them off to have it done but don't watch cos you can't handle it? The day I had Noah and the 2 days I was in the hospital I didn't put him down except to have my stitches done, pass him around family members, and sleep. I couldn't take my eyes off him, and I certainly wasn't thinking of sending him off to have the most sensitive part of his body cut off

The AIDS argument It's all been said, use a condom

"Uncircumcised penises are gross" Oh come on, grow up. Again, why do you care what your son's penis looks like? You're not meant to find it attractive it's a body part just like a foot. Personally I find noses gross cos snot comes out of them doesn't mean I'm gonna mess around with it and cut it up.

If it wasn't obvious, I haven't had Noah circumcised and wouldn't dream of it, it never crossed my mind tbh and was certainly not something me and FOB had to discuss. If he'd wanted him to be done I would have ignored him anyway.

 

[rwhite]

I was also shocked at the mother who is going to tell her son to ask the kids who have been circumcised to ask their parents why they cut off their body part! This is NOT right... and IMO is promoting bullying!

If you'd read the post she said "if someone teases my son in the locker room for having an uncircumcised penis I will tell him to ask them why his parents cut off a body part". She wasn't just saying she'd tell him to go and attack circumcised boys, but if he was attacked or made fun of to defend himself! Talk about taking it out of context!

The locker room argument on the whole confuses me. I don't recall every seeing another girl's vagina in school, or them seeing mine. We certainly weren't comparing so why would boys

"I want him to look like daddy" Ahhhhhhhh this irks me so unbelievably much. For a start, why do you care? I can guarantee your child's penis will look different to his dad's circumcised or not, it will be a lot smaller for a start and there'll be no pubic hair! Why do our genitals have to clone our parents'? I don't see why it would be an issue for an uncircumcised boy to ask his circumcised father why their penises were different... Just answer and move on, not a big deal unless you make it one!

The hygiene argument, ridiculous. Who says circumcised penises are cleaner? I don't understand what's so hard to grasp about washing a penis? I have never had a penis or washed a penis and nobody ever 'taught' me how to wash Noah's, I just.... wash it?

Religious argument I don't really know enough about to comment cos I don't know WHY certain religions say it has to be done, but on the whole I tend to not see a lot of difference between doing it for religious reasons and the predominantly American view of "well everyone else does it".

The pain argument makes me want to cry, seriously. Of course babies feel pain, what the hell I literally cringe thinking about anyone cutting any part of my genitals (and remembering the ring of fire ) so why you would want to put your tiny perfect newborn baby through that is beyond me. Even more sick when people choose not to be in the room. Just send them off to have it done but don't watch cos you can't handle it? The day I had Noah and the 2 days I was in the hospital I didn't put him down except to have my stitches done, pass him around family members, and sleep. I couldn't take my eyes off him, and I certainly wasn't thinking of sending him off to have the most sensitive part of his body cut off

The AIDS argument It's all been said, use a condom

"Uncircumcised penises are gross" Oh come on, grow up. Again, why do you care what your son's penis looks like? You're not meant to find it attractive it's a body part just like a foot. Personally I find noses gross cos snot comes out of them doesn't mean I'm gonna mess around with it and cut it up.

If it wasn't obvious, I haven't had Noah circumcised and wouldn't dream of it, it never crossed my mind tbh and was certainly not something me and FOB had to discuss. If he'd wanted him to be done I would have ignored him anyway.

 

[Randianne]

Where I live, circumcision is the norm. I worked in an emergency room as a nurse for over a year and only saw one uncircumcised penis. It's the only one I've ever seen. Also, I don't know anyone personally that didn't have their baby circumcised. That said, my husband and I are researching and discussing it.

While I appreciate many of the links provided, some of the videos are upsetting. I would absolutely never allow my son's circumcision (if he has one) to be performed without anesthetic. When I attended a friend's bris, the mohel (who was also a pediatric surgeon) used a combination of numbing creams and anesthetic so that the baby didn't even flinch. While the videos of the babies in pain are extremely upsetting, that is not how a circumcision has to be, nor is that how it should be in my opinion.

I am honestly torn on this issue. I don't think it is physically necessary. However, where I live he would absolutely be made fun of for it. As for how other kids would know, it is very common here for boy's room urinals to have no dividers between them. While I'm sure they are not intentionally looking, it doesn't mean they won't see. Because of this, I'm concerned about his psychological well being.

Also, while I understand letting him grow up and decide for himself, the problem I have with that is that it is a minor procedure while he is an infant. As an adult, it becomes major surgery requiring general anesthesia and weeks of recovery time. The infant procedure requires much safer drugs, a ten minute procedure, and the after care is a topical antibiotic applied three times a day (much like you would care for a cut).

I know that circumcision will not be painless as LO would be very sore afterwards. I also hate the thought of my child coming home crying because he was made fun of when I could have prevented it. I understand why UK and other ladies might not understand why we would even consider it. But culturally, you don't have to consider the bullying factor
like we do. I have to consider the physical AND emotional well being of my child. Honestly, right now I don't know which one is worse.

 

[Meredith2010]

Where I live, circumcision is the norm. I worked in an emergency room as a nurse for over a year and only saw one uncircumcised penis. It's the only one I've ever seen. Also, I don't know anyone personally that didn't have their baby circumcised. That said, my husband and I are researching and discussing it.

While I appreciate many of the links provided, some of the videos are upsetting. I would absolutely never allow my son's circumcision (if he has one) to be performed without anesthetic. When I attended a friend's bris, the mohel (who was also a pediatric surgeon) used a combination of numbing creams and anesthetic so that the baby didn't even flinch. While the videos of the babies in pain are extremely upsetting, that is not how a circumcision has to be, nor is that how it should be in my opinion.

I am honestly torn on this issue. I don't think it is physically necessary. However, where I live he would absolutely be made fun of for it. As for how other kids would know, it is very common here for boy's room urinals to have no dividers between them. While I'm sure they are not intentionally looking, it doesn't mean they won't see. Because of this, I'm concerned about his psychological well being.

Also, while I understand letting him grow up and decide for himself, the problem I have with that is that it is a minor procedure while he is an infant. As an adult, it becomes major surgery requiring general anesthesia and weeks of recovery time. The infant procedure requires much safer drugs, a ten minute procedure, and the after care is a topical antibiotic applied three times a day (much like you would care for a cut).

I know that circumcision will not be painless as LO would be very sore afterwards. I also hate the thought of my child coming home crying because he was made fun of when I could have prevented it. I understand why UK and other ladies might not understand why we would even consider it. But culturally, you don't have to consider the bullying factor
like we do. I have to consider the physical AND emotional well being of my child. Honestly, right now I don't know which one is worse.

I am anti circumcision but just wanted to say thanks for putting forward your point of view so well - it's the first time I have actually though "hmm, ok well I can see where she is coming from".

 

[stickylizard]

Where I live, circumcision is the norm. I worked in an emergency room as a nurse for over a year and only saw one uncircumcised penis. It's the only one I've ever seen. Also, I don't know anyone personally that didn't have their baby circumcised. That said, my husband and I are researching and discussing it.

While I appreciate many of the links provided, some of the videos are upsetting. I would absolutely never allow my son's circumcision (if he has one) to be performed without anesthetic. When I attended a friend's bris, the mohel (who was also a pediatric surgeon) used a combination of numbing creams and anesthetic so that the baby didn't even flinch. While the videos of the babies in pain are extremely upsetting, that is not how a circumcision has to be, nor is that how it should be in my opinion.

I am honestly torn on this issue. I don't think it is physically necessary. However, where I live he would absolutely be made fun of for it. As for how other kids would know, it is very common here for boy's room urinals to have no dividers between them. While I'm sure they are not intentionally looking, it doesn't mean they won't see. Because of this, I'm concerned about his psychological well being.

Also, while I understand letting him grow up and decide for himself, the problem I have with that is that it is a minor procedure while he is an infant. As an adult, it becomes major surgery requiring general anesthesia and weeks of recovery time. The infant procedure requires much safer drugs, a ten minute procedure, and the after care is a topical antibiotic applied three times a day (much like you would care for a cut).

I know that circumcision will not be painless as LO would be very sore afterwards. I also hate the thought of my child coming home crying because he was made fun of when I could have prevented it. I understand why UK and other ladies might not understand why we would even consider it. But culturally, you don't have to consider the bullying factor
like we do. I have to consider the physical AND emotional well being of my child. Honestly, right now I don't know which one is worse.

I am anti circumcision but just wanted to say thanks for putting forward your point of view so well - it's the first time I have actually though "hmm, ok well I can see where she is coming from".

I totally agree, thank you for telling us why you are considering it without being argumentative in any way. I can totally see how in your culture/where you live this may be an issue and why you are therefore torn. This is exactly what the thread was supposed to be, opinions and views not a fght. I think it's very adult to be considering all aspects of your son's growing up and I think you will make a fabulous parent! I like that the reasons you have given for and against are relevant and not just "because his dad is/isn't" or something else which really has no grounding. I'm sure if you do decide to have your son circumsized it will be because you have weighed up the pros and cons and decided it is best for your child.

Bravo. And, I'm anti-circumsizion! (See, we can disagree and be nice ) xxx

 

[annawrigley]

If someone looked at and laughed at Noah's willy I'd tell him to give them a face and tell em to keep their eyes on their own penis, that should make them feel stupid enough. If it carried on I'd go to his mum, in front of him, and say "Can you ask your son to please stop looking at my son's penis? He's getting a little creeped out your son keeps perving on him"
Not that it probably would happen cos circumcision isn't the norm here and there wouldn't be a situation where they'd see each others penises but.. hypothetically

 

[jennijunni]

Where I live, circumcision is the norm. I worked in an emergency room as a nurse for over a year and only saw one uncircumcised penis. It's the only one I've ever seen. Also, I don't know anyone personally that didn't have their baby circumcised. That said, my husband and I are researching and discussing it.

While I appreciate many of the links provided, some of the videos are upsetting. I would absolutely never allow my son's circumcision (if he has one) to be performed without anesthetic. When I attended a friend's bris, the mohel (who was also a pediatric surgeon) used a combination of numbing creams and anesthetic so that the baby didn't even flinch. While the videos of the babies in pain are extremely upsetting, that is not how a circumcision has to be, nor is that how it should be in my opinion.

I am honestly torn on this issue. I don't think it is physically necessary. However, where I live he would absolutely be made fun of for it. As for how other kids would know, it is very common here for boy's room urinals to have no dividers between them. While I'm sure they are not intentionally looking, it doesn't mean they won't see. Because of this, I'm concerned about his psychological well being.

Also, while I understand letting him grow up and decide for himself, the problem I have with that is that it is a minor procedure while he is an infant. As an adult, it becomes major surgery requiring general anesthesia and weeks of recovery time. The infant procedure requires much safer drugs, a ten minute procedure, and the after care is a topical antibiotic applied three times a day (much like you would care for a cut).

I know that circumcision will not be painless as LO would be very sore afterwards. I also hate the thought of my child coming home crying because he was made fun of when I could have prevented it. I understand why UK and other ladies might not understand why we would even consider it. But culturally, you don't have to consider the bullying factor
like we do. I have to consider the physical AND emotional well being of my child. Honestly, right now I don't know which one is worse.

I am in the US as well. But while circumcision is very common for older generations, meaning us! LOL! Only about 30% of boys in the US will be circed this year. So it is becoming more and more uncommon. Something to think about.

 

[Randianne]

Thank you ladies for being so understanding. As you can probably tell, this is our first baby! We're stressing over a lot of decisions, but this is the only one we cannot seem to find a clear answer to. Along with the research we're doing ourselves, threads like these have been helpful to us. Because it is still so accepted around here, this is one of the few places we can see some different perspectives.

 

[rwhite]

Thank you ladies for being so understanding. As you can probably tell, this is our first baby! We're stressing over a lot of decisions, but this is the only one we cannot seem to find a clear answer to. Along with the research we're doing ourselves, threads like these have been helpful to us. Because it is still so accepted around here, this is one of the few places we can see some different perspectives.

Best of luck for whatever decision you make. I applaud you for doing your research, and I really enjoyed reading your post; the angle was very refreshing compared to some of other posts in favour of circumcision x

 

[Leids]

Thought I would throw this out there, I just asked my DH who is uncircumcised (we're from the US) if he was ever teased or if anyone even glanced at his penis while growing up, and he said no. There was never any teasing and no one ever looked, even in urinals. He always went to public schools. He said if anyone were to look at another boy's penis in a urinal that in itself would be made far more embarrassing for the boy looking than the boy who had an 'unusual' looking penis.

 

[Dragonfly]

Thought I would throw this out there, I just asked my DH who is uncircumcised (we're from the US) if he was ever teased or if anyone even glanced at his penis while growing up, and he said no. There was never any teasing and no one ever looked, even in urinals. He always went to public schools. He said if anyone were to look at another boy's penis in a urinal that in itself would be made far more embarrassing for the boy looking than the boy who had an 'unusual' looking penis.

I find it weird someone speaking like that. I have never seen a circ penis and I worked in nursing homes and well you know had partners and no one has that here. Here you leave it alone. My other half said when I asked him whats it like in the boys changing rooms in school "you;re only there get washed/changed not look at each others knobs". I think if you where circ here people would probably say something. When I had my son no one asked, not one person not in hospital, health professionals or friends or family. I am so glad I live here. No offense to you cutting my son wouldnt be worth that cosmetic reason some have.

 

[flubdub]

Why do people say that a Circ'd penis is "easier to clean"? I have never heard any men complain about the difficulty of cleaning their "uncirc'd" penis! Its ludicrous.
I also dont know any men who HAVE been circumcised, and they seem to manage fine.
I just find it so sad

 

[Sunshine12]

Why do people say that a Circ'd penis is "easier to clean"? I have never heard any men complain about the difficulty of cleaning their "uncirc'd" penis! Its ludicrous.
I also dont know any men who HAVE been circumcised, and they seem to manage fine.
I just find it so sad

Going off on a tangent here but I just battered my laptop cause I thought there was a little fly on my screen! Doh!

 

[MeowPurr32]

For a second, I thought a bug was running around on mine, too! It looks so real!

I used to be really anti-circumcision, but now I understand both sides of the "debate." However, we are having a boy and I do NOT NOT NOT want him to be, unless it's a medical necessity. I think he will be just perfect the way he is born.