Recent Circumcision Analysis - What do you guys think?

[steph.]

I think some people give too much importance to circumcision...seriously I haven't met any circumcised guy that has deep emotional issues about his body being modified when he was a baby, any self-image issues, or thinking he was less than perfect and that's why his foreskin came off. Maybe the men I have come across in my life weren't deep thinkers but none of them cared or thought much about it.

If I have a son I won't circumcise because I don't have any strong feeling about it, but to me it's such a small issue in the grand scheme of things, if other people chose it for their boys that's fine.

 

[Natsku]

There are men out there though who do have deep emotional issues about being circumcised as a baby. There's lawsuits about it even. You're not going to know if your son will mind until he's grown up. And of course the risk (albeit slight) of it going wrong and ending up with a deformed penis. It just doesn't seem worth the risk considering almost all of the benefits can be achieved by washing properly and wearing a condom, the only benefits that can't be achieved are so slight anyway that they are negligible (and lets not forget that penile cancer is more common in the US despite circumcision than it is in many countries that don't routinely circumcise)

 

[steph.]

Also...(sorry for going on a tangent but this is something that really annoys me in general)...why are people obsessed with perfection? Why do you need your child to know he is perfect? Isn't is more important to teach our children that it is ok NOT to be perfect. I think I am a bit sensitive on the issue because I can't say my daughter was born perfect. She was born with a congenital defect, and by definition imperfect. She has a cystic hygroma on her shoulder, basically a big cyst, and has gone under general anaesthetic twice to have it injected to make it shrink. She will likely need another couple of injections to make it unnoticeable. So yes I am modifying her body without her consent because that's what I think she would want me to do. She is not perfect but is awesome!

 

[steph.]

There are men out there though who do have deep emotional issues about being circumcised as a baby. There's lawsuits about it even. You're not going to know if your son will mind until he's grown up. And of course the risk (albeit slight) of it going wrong and ending up with a deformed penis. It just doesn't seem worth the risk considering almost all of the benefits can be achieved by washing properly and wearing a condom, the only benefits that can't be achieved are so slight anyway that they are negligible (and lets not forget that penile cancer is more common in the US despite circumcision than it is in many countries that don't routinely circumcise)

I would imagine that % of men is quite small? It just seems the words used to describe circumcision (ranging from cruel to mutilation to child abuse ect) are too strong, and should be saved for other circumstances. The reality is most circumcised men don't mind, and perhaps these mums feel like the risks outweigh the perceived advantages (I'm not saying there are clear advantages, just trying to put myself into someone else's shoes).

 

[Natsku]

There are men out there though who do have deep emotional issues about being circumcised as a baby. There's lawsuits about it even. You're not going to know if your son will mind until he's grown up. And of course the risk (albeit slight) of it going wrong and ending up with a deformed penis. It just doesn't seem worth the risk considering almost all of the benefits can be achieved by washing properly and wearing a condom, the only benefits that can't be achieved are so slight anyway that they are negligible (and lets not forget that penile cancer is more common in the US despite circumcision than it is in many countries that don't routinely circumcise)

I would imagine that % of men is quite small? It just seems the words used to describe circumcision (ranging from cruel to mutilation to child abuse ect) are too strong, and should be saved for other circumstances. The reality is most circumcised men don't mind, and perhaps these mums feel like the risks outweigh the perceived advantages (I'm not saying there are clear advantages, just trying to put myself into someone else's shoes).

Well by dictionary definition it is mutilation but I agree those are harsh words to use. But then again those words are used to describe female circumcision (including the kind that is the exact equivalent of male circumcision), I guess I think boys ought be spoken up for just like girls are. But judging other mums isn't the way to do it, spreading information and correcting misinformation is a better way I think.

 

[Noodlebear]

There are men out there though who do have deep emotional issues about being circumcised as a baby. There's lawsuits about it even. You're not going to know if your son will mind until he's grown up. And of course the risk (albeit slight) of it going wrong and ending up with a deformed penis. It just doesn't seem worth the risk considering almost all of the benefits can be achieved by washing properly and wearing a condom, the only benefits that can't be achieved are so slight anyway that they are negligible (and lets not forget that penile cancer is more common in the US despite circumcision than it is in many countries that don't routinely circumcise)

I would imagine that % of men is quite small? It just seems the words used to describe circumcision (ranging from cruel to mutilation to child abuse ect) are too strong, and should be saved for other circumstances. The reality is most circumcised men don't mind, and perhaps these mums feel like the risks outweigh the perceived advantages (I'm not saying there are clear advantages, just trying to put myself into someone else's shoes).

You think that way because you don't feel strongly about it. I'm strongly against it, if my son wants to be circumcised he can do it himself when he's older. What you mentioned about your child having a defect isn't remotely the same as what is being discussed here. For all you know my LO could have something seriously wrong with him, why would that mean I don't think he's perfect? Why would I want him to think otherwise?

 

[steph.]

I wasnt comparing a cystic hygroma with a circumcision. That's why I said I was going off topic. I just brought it in, because the word perfect has been thrown around and its something that bugs me. By definition, perfect is being flawless so if your child has something wrong with him, he is not perfect. But it's ok not to be perfect, human being are not perfect. Hopefully by the time my dd has any awareness, her birthmark wont be visible but for many others I have met through this journey, who have a ch on their faces, lips, jaws they will never look normal, or perfect. They will know when they are old enough that they are not perfect, but what hopefully they will know is that it doesn't matter. That they dont have to be. That the people that love them,love them unconditionally. That they are special and beautiful.

 

[steph.]

Also noodlebear, I wasnt having a go at you for using the word perfect(if it was you, I can't remember who wrote it in this thread)! I hope it didnt come across that way. Its just something that has been bugging me for months and I found my opportunity to vent.

 

[BrandiCanucks]

Also...(sorry for going on a tangent but this is something that really annoys me in general)...why are people obsessed with perfection? Why do you need your child to know he is perfect? Isn't is more important to teach our children that it is ok NOT to be perfect. I think I am a bit sensitive on the issue because I can't say my daughter was born perfect. She was born with a congenital defect, and by definition imperfect. She has a cystic hygroma on her shoulder, basically a big cyst, and has gone under general anaesthetic twice to have it injected to make it shrink. She will likely need another couple of injections to make it unnoticeable. So yes I am modifying her body without her consent because that's what I think she would want me to do. She is not perfect but is awesome!

Thank you for pointing this out! I completely agree with you! My daughter is in a similar situation where by society standards, she is imperfect. It was because of her that I posed the question about who decides what perfect is anyway, and why can't we teach children they are perfect and beautiful just the way they are? I believe in building a child's self esteem early on and having them believe that being unique still makes them beautiful, to prepare them for the onslaught of what may be to come.

My daughter has a neurometabolic disease that is eating away at the white matter in her brain. White matter controls the signals the brain sends to the rest of her body. Eventually, her body will shut down, if one of the other conditions related to her disease does not take her first. She also has an extremely small pituitary gland, five times smaller than the average 3 year old. She's 7 years old. She weighs less than her 3 year old sister, still sits in a 5-point harness car seat, has borderline nutritional issues because she just doesn't eat. She's TINY. Her condition is preventing her brain from growing, thus causing microcephaly. Her head is the average size of a 14-month-old girl. She has seizures, she walks "funny", she has severe developmental and speech delays...but I have never ever treated her as if she has a disability. She's "different" by society standards, but I refuse to treat her that way. Every morning, as I brush her hair, I remind her that she is beautiful, and that everyone is beautiful in their own way. I know eventually she's going to find out that she's "different". It's bound to happen sooner or later, likely sooner. But I believe that building up her self-esteem and making her proud of herself now will help her defeat and ignore the negative comments that will eventually come her way. She's an AWESOME kid. You just have to meet her once to fall absolutely madly in love with her. She is PERFECT the way she is.

So in the end, does it really matter if one boy's penis looks different from another's? In the grand scheme, it really is such a minor issue that, regardless of your stance, does not affect you in any way, shape or form, what one parent decides for their child. It's fine to be against circumcision, it's fine to be for circumcision, because in the end, we ALL make decisions for our children that, as parents, we feel are in our kids best interests, and no one should EVER EVER EVER be judged, or made to feel like their a bad parent, or have words like abusive, or mutilator thrown at them for it.

 

[Jes.shortcake]

Wow..never realized so many people cared about my sons penis..weird.

I never even realized this was a big issue until coming to these boards. It's just not a big debate topic here. If you get it done..cool..if not..that's fine too. I've never been made to feel like a shitty mom about it until I came on here. I've never even been with a man with an uncircumcised penis. I didn't sleep around or anything..but it's def more then a couple lol

 

[HBGirl]

To be honest, the sight of a circumsized penis horrifies me.

And I think a non-circ one looks...scary. Like some hooded animal...


lol, it's all in what you're used to, I suppose.

LOLZ! The dune rat. Its true, its what you are used to. Its the band of scr tissue that grosses me out.

 

[Noodlebear]

Also noodlebear, I wasnt having a go at you for using the word perfect(if it was you, I can't remember who wrote it in this thread)! I hope it didnt come across that way. Its just something that has been bugging me for months and I found my opportunity to vent.

My son could've been born with every condition/illness/deformity going. I would still teach him that he's perfect, that doesn't mean I wouldn't allow him to have surgery or whatever but I wouldn't put him through that for no reason. So, while I don't feel like you were having a go, I do feel it's a bit nit picky. You want to teach your kid it's ok to be different, that's cool. I'd want to teach mine that everyone is perfect and how they're meant to be. It's not about the word 'perfect' but more about how I'd teach my son to see the world. To accept people for who they are and not think they need to be altered. If you read my comments you'd see that. I did say that I really disliked how the other poster jumped on the word 'perfect' because she wasn't listening to a word I was saying. So don't worry, you didn't upset me or anything lol. But it's turned into a pointless discussion about a word.

I appreciate the importance of being able to vent, so vent away.

 

[Paloma123]

"The authors conclude that the benefits — among them reduced risks of urinary tract infection, prostate cancer, sexually transmitted diseases and, in female partners, cervical cancer — outweigh the risks of local infection or bleeding"

I'd be interested to read the science behind how it reduced those things? I can't think how a foreskin would effect chances of prostate cancer? Does anyone know?

 

[Noodlebear]

The only study I've seen stating a significant difference said that it's beneficial for men to have it done over the age of 35. It can reduce the risk by around 40% I think but I have no idea why.

 

[Paloma123]

The only study I've seen stating a significant difference said that it's beneficial for men to have it done over the age of 35. It can reduce the risk by around 40% I think but I have no idea why.

Lol, what adult men are willingly going to go and have their foreskin chopped off. Ouch.

 

[Noodlebear]

The only study I've seen stating a significant difference said that it's beneficial for men to have it done over the age of 35. It can reduce the risk by around 40% I think but I have no idea why.

Lol, what adult men are willingly going to go and have their foreskin chopped off. Ouch.

I know! Eek! Worth thinking about though, especially if there's a family history of cancer. I've seen some things about cleanliness being a factor.... If that's the case then surely teaching good hygiene is a better option than putting a baby through a procedure that, like with all other procedures, carries risk? I can't see how it's worth it. If my son wants to have it done when he's older then I support that, might even show him the study if some other evidence hasn't cropped up by then lol. But I won't be making decisions like that for him. Right now his foreskin isn't detrimental to his health so I'll leave it alone.

 

[Abigailly]

I have the same stance on circumcision as I do on most other things. Ear piercing. Sun burn. Etc.

It's my child's body, I won't mutilate or harm them in anyway to the best of my ability. If they want to, then so be it.

I feel that so many arguments are verging on invalid. From the re search I've read the UK has both lower penile cancer and STI/D rates. And, although it seems to vary, we only have roughly 3-5% of men circumcised. Even less now. Yet that claims it reduces the risk of both?

 

[aragornlover8]

"The authors conclude that the benefits — among them reduced risks of urinary tract infection, prostate cancer, sexually transmitted diseases and, in female partners, cervical cancer — outweigh the risks of local infection or bleeding"

I'd be interested to read the science behind how it reduced those things? I can't think how a foreskin would effect chances of prostate cancer? Does anyone know?

From what I've read, the studies only show statistically significant links between the two things. As another poster mentioned, these were most drastic for men who decided to be circumcised over the age of 35, and that race also played a role. I think it was 14% reduction for men who were circumcised at birth, and around 40% for those after 35 (I'm going off of my memory here, which is kind of shoddy these days ). I also wonder at the probable causes behind the link. Haven't done a lot of research there, to be honest. The research on it is pretty new, and I don't generally trust any scientific finding until it has several studies to back it up. Either way, it looks like the findings favor adult male circumcision, which would give the individual time to consent. I think that's often at the crux of the debate here.

This is a side note, but I've noticed a lot of people talking about which looks weirder, intact v circumcised. Am I the only one that thinks they all look weird? There's a quote in a movie I watched once that said naked men look like under-decorated Christmas trees. I've always found that to be pretty true.

 

[JASMAK]

Really...why so much attention for the almighty penis anyways? I think it clearly gets way more attention than deserved. So much research and speculation,...and women arguing about a small piece of skin. I wonder how this thread would go if men were talking. LOL

 

[JASMAK]

Just had to add... I hope no man relies on circumcision alone to prevent things like STI's.