Circumcision - Yes or No?

[PrinceOfTides]

I just realized that I'll have to make a decision about whether our little boy is to be circumcised or not. My husband, nephews and brothers are not circumcised although they're all born in the USA. I'm from Sweden where boys don't get circumcised unless religious reasons are involved. I recall reading that the US is one of the few countries in the world with the highest circumcision rate.

Does anyone have some insight?

If you have a boy, do you plan circumcision?

[thehappypixi]

Oh noooo!!! If nature put it there, it's meant to be there!
Have a look here :D

peaceful parenting: Intact or Circumcised: A Significant Difference in the Adult Penis (http://www.drmomma.org/2011/08/intact-or-circumcised-significant.html)

[Typical_Jules]

I have 5 boys they are all in tact, it's my belief that's it's their bodies their choice when they get older.

[Claire33]

NO NO NO!!!! There is a reason why the rest of the world and the World Health Organisation don't recommend circumcision. The USA needs to come into the 21st century and stop this practice. If you're Swedish and all the men in your husband's family aren't circumcised, the decision should be easy. You have no one pressuring you to do it. Most American babies that get circumcised (other than for religious reasons) get done so because their fathers are circumcised and the fathers are worried that their sons will look different from them. Many adult men wish they were never circumcised and are angry at their parents for doing it. Circumcision can cause medical issues like infection and scarring of the penis.

[jark22]

I mainly left the decision up to my husband with our first son since he has the same parts. We researched and spoke to various people about it- and I didn't have strong feelings either way. DH is from England but we live in the US.......He decided on circumcision for our boys. I actually don't know anyone in real life who have left their sons intact...... The few boys who were uncircumcised when I went to school were horribly teased :(. But I'm sure there are more now than when I went to school. I don't feel there is a right or wrong answer- it's all in what YOU decide. Just research both sides and then make the best decision for your family :)

[Cinss]

If my baby is a boy i will not be cutting anything off him.

[Rosie85]

My sons are circumcised and I don't feel bad about it at all. It's common in the US and isn't harmful in anyway. I have researched a ton on it too and don't need anyone saying I didn't.

[stillwanttwomore]

All 4 of my sons are circumcised, and we are in Canada, and I believe that it is pretty common here as well. I did a TON of research and my Dh and I decided that it was the best decision for our boys. There are a couple of issues that can arise from circumcision, but I believe that the benefits far outweigh the risks.

However this is my opinion and to be honest I don't think that there is a right or wrong answer, I think if you do your research you will be able to make an infomred decision.

Good luck,

My sons are circumcised and I don't feel bad about it at all. It's common in the US and isn't harmful in anyway. I have researched a ton on it too and don't need anyone saying I didn't.

[cvd]

My son is circumcised. We had a long debate about it, we're from Canada alot of boys here are so since DH is we decided to do it!

[ThreeMenAndALAdy]

NO NO NO!!!! There is a reason why the rest of the world and the World Health Organisation don't recommend circumcision. The USA needs to come into the 21st century and stop this practice. If you're Swedish and all the men in your husband's family aren't circumcised, the decision should be easy. You have no one pressuring you to do it. Most American babies that get circumcised (other than for religious reasons) get done so because their fathers are circumcised and the fathers are worried that their sons will look different from them. Many adult men wish they were never circumcised and are angry at their parents for doing it. Circumcision can cause medical issues like infection and scarring of the penis.

You can also get infections from not being circumcised. My father isn't and as a child he got a few from not pulling the skin back properly and cleaning the area after going to the bathroom. I don't think you should judge any country of person for that matter. It's an individual choice that people can make. And I don't know any kids that are angry at their parents for doing it. Weigh the pros and cons and you should come up with a decision that works for you and your family. Good luck PrinceofTides.

[nuthinbutpink]

It is a cultural decision. I don't think the health concerns either way are a factor for anyone. Where I am from, every man is circumcised that my DH knows of and are their children. It is the "norm" here. Pediatricians here are a fan of it. It doesn't make me ignorant or less informed. It's a decision I made on behalf of my son like the othe million decisions as a mother I will continue to make. To each their own.

[auroara78]

agree with threemenandalady!

it's a personal decision on what you feel is best for your family. My husband really wanted our sons to it done, so they did.

I would hazard a guess that since your husband and his family is not then perhaps you would be better off not doing it, because I think it's important for a little boy to be able to idenitfy with his father with those body parts, and similiar is better imo. But of course, I hope you come to the right conclusion for your family.

[Wanting-a-girl]

NOPE my three boys are not... there father is not and either are my brothers so i am told from my mother and really the number one reason i didn't cause the thought of putting my little baby in pain! it is there for a reason i dont think your born with something that you don't need or has no use... non of my boys have had any infection or cleanliness issues at all. female circumcision is called mutilation i see male circumcision the same, just my personal opinion tho :)


when you are a child you are not supposed to forcefully pull back the skin at all!!!

anyways its your decision so just make the best decision for you and your family

[Orchid]

It is a cultural decision.

I think it is totally cultural. Where I am from I have seen only Muslims circumcise due to religious reasons and all other religion don't even give a second thought about circumcision.

Since we live in the US we thought about it since we were paranoid about our son being made fun off in the locker rooms etc but our pediatrician told us there are plenty of parents opting out of it and that is no reason to circumcise for that reason. So he is intact.

[atomic sagebrush]

We did circ our first son and then none of the others. We just always explained it as, it's just like having brown or blue eyes. None of them have ever thought anything of it whatsoever, my oldest son doesn't care that he is circed and my younger son doesn't care that he isn't (my littler boys are too young to discuss it)

They never see my husband's junk anyway LOL

[coocoobananas]

I thought I for sure would before I had kids and actually was tisking my sister for not doing her kids... But then it did become my decision with my own! I felt it was up to my husband as he knows what goes on in locker rooms and I wanted my boys to fit in. At first he was all over it and then I told him that's fine, I will not be attending but please just research it first! He changed his mind instantly!
I think these days they won't be the minority. Out of about 20 mom friends who have boys, only 1 is circumsized. I hope I've made the right decision by them and that it will be the norm one day which I believe it's becoming. My one nephew (brothers) is circumsized because his fil begged them to since he ended up having to get it done later due to an infection... But nobody knows the circumstances and it is definately not the norm if you keep yourself clean:)

[Boymomsrock]

I circ'd all 3 of my boys, no regrets. It's a personal decision.

[The Anchor]

I couldn't bring myself to do it...plus my DH isn't circumcised. But many of my friends have had it done for their boys...

[Dana-Alicia]

No. But it never was an issue for us as in Europe circumcision isn't common at all. I feel it's my son's body and unless he's sick and in need of a surgery, nothing will be done to his healthy body.

[wildwooddays]

We do it for religious reasons. It's entering the covenant of Abraham and we have a big ceremony for it. But I don't see why people need to do it for non-religious reasons.

[zibibbogirl]

I agree, it is a personal decision. None of my boys are circumcised. I figure if they are born that way, they can stay that way.

My DH is circumcised, but looking different to him is not really an issue because they don't see his gear anyway, as atomic said LOL. If they are ever going to make comparisons with anyone, it would be their peers as teens in sport locker rooms etc. So I think a large part of my decision was what was common at the time.

I didn't want my boys to be different to the majority of their peers and end up being teased. Very few people circumcise in Australia these days unless for cultural reasons or strong personal preference. Whereas when my DH was born, it was very common.

When my DS1 was born a friend told me that none of the Doctors would do it for her. She ended up having to travel to a capital city miles away to get a Doctor that would perform the procedure. Her son is now the odd one out. The doctors here do seem to want to talk people out of it. Seeing it wasn't something I particularly wanted to do anyway, I just let it go.

I don't think hygeine is such an issue these days, as boys (as well as girls) can be taught that.

[hopingforsaskia]

It never occurred to us to circ our 2 boys.. It wasn't until a few of the others we knew had had it done that we even gave it a thought. We don't though, and won't ever. I certainly would never just do it to "be the same".. I'm not breeding a race of superior humans, they're people, and it's OK to be different.

Saying that though, I don't really care what others choose to do. It has no bearing on me or my kids at all. :)

I'm surprised that this thread hasn't snowballed out of control.. Usually forum discussions on this subject go south very quickly..! :)

[aroundtheworld]

I see a lot of "it's a personal decision", but what about that child's decision when he grows up? If circumcised as an infant, he doesn't get one. :(

A lot of men have had this decision made for them and wish that their parent(s) had given them the choice over their own penis.

[Wanting a daughter]

I haven't had either of mine done and definitely won't unless there is a medical reason for it. My father and brother were done but times have changed and it's very uncommon here in Oz now. I have to say I'm very glad about that. The idea of cutting anything off my boys little bodies is something I don't like to think about.

Í read a book years ago about a boy who lost his entire penis when the circumcision went wrong. They used cauterization and burnt the entire thing off. This poor little boy was then raised as a girl all his life and went through an horrendous time growing up in pink dresses while his twin brother got to climb trees and play with trucks. The poor parents were listening to the advice of the doctors at John's Hopkins and it sounded as thought the famous doctor from there was not quite right. Some of the "therapy" he made the little boy do was definitely unethical and maybe even a little sexually abusive. They made him take female hormones as a teenager so he could fit in. Awful. He was eventually told the truth and went back to being male, having a prosthetic penis fitted, but not before YEARS of torment. I guess this story really put the wind up me about circumcision because I made up my mind all those years ago that if I had a boy I would not gt it done.

That said however, there is quite strong evidence that circumcisin reduces the risk of contracting HIV. There are a number of studies in Africa that show this. They have even done some trials of circumcising adult males in towns with high infection rates but it appears that the benefits are only seen when the child is pre-pubescent. DEFINITELY not a prevention, but it does cut the risk a little. Still... I'll be preaching condoms to my kids.

I hope this doesn't come across as judging one way or the other. I also feel it's personal choice and can be very cultural. I just mentioned these things as topic for interest and discussion. Hope noone has been offended.

[Typical_Jules]

Just wnted to throw in this as well, babies have died as a result of being circumcised.

[Wanting a daughter]

OMG, WTF!!! I just got back from teh docs with my 4 yr old because it is hurting him to wee and the doc tells me we will most likely need to circumcise because his foreskin is REALLY tight. Like so bad you can't see the hole. I can't believe it. After just saying no way to this question a few days ago... What is that about??? Can't see the specialist until Feb so won't know til then but I REALLY HOPE NOT!!

Any suggestions on stretching it?? Warm bath every night? Does it even work or is that an old wives tale?

[BeadinMom]

WAD....
I think the warm baths are worth a try, at the very least, they won't hurt.
A friend of mine's son just went through this at age 11. I think he had been circumcised as a baby, but he ended up needing it again.
I am so sorry.
Keeping your sweet little guy (and you) in my thoughts & prayers.

[*ruby*]

I know a few boys who've had the same issue with stretching and they were prescribed a cream (steroid I think) to apply and were encouraged to have the boys try to push the foreskin back themselves frequently. It worked for them end they didn't end up needing to be circ'd

[Rainbow baby]

It's just personal choice. Mine are different from daddy, as I refused to put my son trough that unless medically needed. That started fights between me and MIL but too bad, but maybe something you have to consider.

[mummypink]

Nope, my two aren't and not something I would ever consider unless there was a medical reason for it. x

[The Anchor]

OMG, WTF!!! I just got back from teh docs with my 4 yr old because it is hurting him to wee and the doc tells me we will most likely need to circumcise because his foreskin is REALLY tight. Like so bad you can't see the hole. I can't believe it. After just saying no way to this question a few days ago... What is that about??? Can't see the specialist until Feb so won't know til then but I REALLY HOPE NOT!!

Any suggestions on stretching it?? Warm bath every night? Does it even work or is that an old wives tale?

No kidding, really? Can I ask why you took him to the doctor, was he acting like it was hard to go? Did it come on suddenly? Just curious...I haven't circumcised my son, he's 2 now, and we're in the midst of potty training and every once in a while he acts like it hurts, but I can't really tell.

[LacePrincess]

Wow, I'm so impressed with this board! Usually the circ debates explode out of control.

To answer the OP, it's a personal decision and there are some pretty strong (understatement!) advocates on both sides. None of my boys are circ'ed, it's highly discouraged by all the doctors of my personal experience. I'm in Canada too, and I had the impression that in Ontario at least the medical boards have discouraged routine circ but I could be wrong. To be honest it was never up for debate as DH isn't circ'ed either so it was the 'norm' in our household. We've never had any issues healthwise with infections or anything.



OMG, WTF!!! I just got back from teh docs with my 4 yr old because it is hurting him to wee and the doc tells me we will most likely need to circumcise because his foreskin is REALLY tight. Like so bad you can't see the hole. I can't believe it. After just saying no way to this question a few days ago... What is that about??? Can't see the specialist until Feb so won't know til then but I REALLY HOPE NOT!!

Any suggestions on stretching it?? Warm bath every night? Does it even work or is that an old wives tale?

Yowch, poor bub! Sounds like penile adhesions, so you might want to google that. Your doc hasn't been pulling back on the foreskin or anything, right? Because on babies and little boys the foreskins don't retract until they get quite a bit older. Some kids won't be able to retract their foreskin until 7-9 years of age, you're supposed to leave it alone until then, just soap and wash the outside.

If it hurts to pee, has your dr done a pee sample for a uti? It could be something like that. Please don't be pulling or stretching the foreskin though, it's so delicate. At least without talking to a pediatric specialist first, you don't want to be doing any permanent damage!

[RedCanoe]

I'm impressed that everyone is being civil too, WTG ladies! :)

My boys are not circumcised either. I'm in Canada too, and none of my friends have their boys circumcised except the ones that are Jewish and did it for religious/cultural reasons. My DH is Swedish as well :bigsmile: and he was adamant that it was not going to happen. Before having kids I had not given it any thought, so I really had no opinion about it. But his argument is that it's no different than altering a girl's genitals, and since we would never consider that why should we consider altering our sons'? So I left it up to him since he has such strong feelings about it AND he has the same bits as them, lol.

GL with your choice. :)

[Wanting a daughter]

He's complained a few times over the last couple of months that it hurts to wee so we've been bathing it in mild sallty water as the tip looked a bit red. My husband is not circed either and he remembered doing the same as a child when it got sore. But then the other day Kindy rang us and said he was crying because he'd done a wee and it hurt really badly. We took him to the docs and he was really crying when we tried to make him do a sample. He flat out refused. He was on the tail end of strong antibiotics for a chest infection so the doc ruled out a UTI. She inspected the tip and it was red so she gave us a script for some cream (Otocomb Otic ointment) and said to try getting him to go in the bath or shower. He finally let go the next morning when we were ready to take him to the hospital.
Can't be good for his kidneys if that keeps happening right??

I looked up penile adhesions but isn't that only on boys that have been circed?

Got our appointment with the paediatric specialist in FEB!!!

[LacePrincess]

I'm honestly not sure, none of my boys have ever had any issues with their bits. I'm sorry your l'il guy is having a rough go of it. :(

Geez, Feb?!? That's crazy. I hope the cream helps, I dunno what else you could do.......where I live there's a huge children's hospital that we'd go to, is there anything like that you can take him to? I don't see how your poor guy can live with it being so painful to wee for months on end.

[mercury]

Things go wrong we all know that. Circumcision can go deathly wrong sometimes. But there is a much worse crime after the first is done it is a gender change they do on them cause they messed up. Well all I ask is if you do make anything illegal you make gender changes on little boys illegal at least. Because parents have no right to make that decision. Neither do doctors for some kind of random crazy experiment on normal little boy with nothing wrong in order to prove there right. If you do anything and something does go wrong let your little boy decide if he wants to be a girl at least..

[Wanting a daughter]

Geez, Feb?!? That's crazy. I hope the cream helps, I dunno what else you could do.......where I live there's a huge children's hospital that we'd go to, is there anything like that you can take him to? I don't see how your poor guy can live with it being so painful to wee for months on end.

I nearly took him this morning to the children's hospital. We were dressed ready to go because he wouldn't let it out but he ended up so busting that he finally did and found it didn't hurt. the cream must be doing the trick. He's been fine weeing for the rest of the day but if it happens again we'll just go straight there and try to jump the queue to a specialist. Poor little man. We often have these sort of waiting times for specialists here. It's terrible, but at least we have some sort of health care. We are better off than half the world. I keep trying to remember that. :)

[PeonyPrincess]

DH is, but we didn't get the boys done. I feel that if they want it done when they are older then that is their choice. I know sometimes it needs to be done for medical reasons, but so far so good with my boys. They have never asked DH why his penis looks different, only asked him why his is bigger-lol!

[glory]

WAD I am sorry your little one is hurting. I wouldn't rule out a UTI or even some kidney infection. Antibiotics for chest don't always go with infections like these, a simplest abx like keflex usually does the trick. Good to hear he was doing well today. Don't cancel your appointment even if he does get better, the wait sucks but it is worse when you cancel it and then really do need it later on.

With the foreskin I believe we all make the right decision in regards to our particular circumstances. All 3 of mine have been done and I don't regret it.

Both my sisters sons had problems from birth and at age 4 had to have circumcision and it was not the nicest thing, so it made me even more glad that I had done it early.

From Perth also, it was harder to get done, but amazingly more people do it than you think. Here the percent is 10% and then another 10% will have to be circumcised for medical reasons. I read in the paper the other day that there is a trend in circumcisions again, who knows.


I nearly took him this morning to the children's hospital. We were dressed ready to go because he wouldn't let it out but he ended up so busting that he finally did and found it didn't hurt. the cream must be doing the trick. He's been fine weeing for the rest of the day but if it happens again we'll just go straight there and try to jump the queue to a specialist. Poor little man. We often have these sort of waiting times for specialists here. It's terrible, but at least we have some sort of health care. We are better off than half the world. I keep trying to remember that. :)

[mercury]

UTIs are not cured by circumcision. Because they are infections there is the risk that the infection will get into the circumcised wound and mutilators like doctor money would suggest he be turned into a girl. Now back to mutilation some people call this procedure of circumcision mutilation. Its not circumcision that is mutilation it is when you turn them into a girl cause they had a infection which spread to a circumcised wound which cause them to cut there penis off. These gender ID doctors would have you believe the best idea is to cut the foreskin off then after a infection takes there penis they would suggest you turn them into girls. It’s a easy way to get victims for there experiments. So ignore the lies give you baby antibiotics then after the uti is over you know it probably wont come back if the antibiotics were given in the right dosages and amounts and type of antibiotic.

[Elements]

Here in our country circumcision is not done unless medically nessercairy or will sometimes be done (if you find the right person) for cultural reasons.

[Boymomsrock]

Things go wrong we all know that. Circumcision can go deathly wrong sometimes. But there is a much worse crime after the first is done it is a gender change they do on them cause they messed up. Well all I ask is if you do make anything illegal you make gender changes on little boys illegal at least. Because parents have no right to make that decision. Neither do doctors for some kind of random crazy experiment on normal little boy with nothing wrong in order to prove there right. If you do anything and something does go wrong let your little boy decide if he wants to be a girl at least..

HUH?!

[nuthinbutpink]

HUH?!

Total freak show.

[Tiggerian]

Both my boys are intact. I don't think they do it in UK unless there is a medical reason for it, like foreskin too tight.

[LacePrincess]

UTIs are not cured by circumcision. Because they are infections there is the risk that the infection will get into the circumcised wound and mutilators like doctor money would suggest he be turned into a girl. Now back to mutilation some people call this procedure of circumcision mutilation. Its not circumcision that is mutilation it is when you turn them into a girl cause they had a infection which spread to a circumcised wound which cause them to cut there penis off. These gender ID doctors would have you believe the best idea is to cut the foreskin off then after a infection takes there penis they would suggest you turn them into girls. It’s a easy way to get victims for there experiments. So ignore the lies give you baby antibiotics then after the uti is over you know it probably wont come back if the antibiotics were given in the right dosages and amounts and type of antibiotic.

Ok this post obviously added NOTHING to the discussion, but I believe the above poster is referring to the case of David Weimer. As a baby, poor David suffered a botched circumcision with the loss of his entire penis. Instead of trying to fix him, some creep nutjob psychologist convinced his parents to raise him as a girl instead. You can read about it here:

David Reimer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Reimer)

Just awful, but what does it have to do with the circ debate? David Reimer's case was a crime, and an absolutely horrifying and unimaginable one at that. It most certainly doesn't happen routinely ANYWHERE in the world or David's case wouldn't have made the international headlines it did. Complete straw man argument that has nothing to do with reality.

[LacePrincess]

I nearly took him this morning to the children's hospital. We were dressed ready to go because he wouldn't let it out but he ended up so busting that he finally did and found it didn't hurt. the cream must be doing the trick. He's been fine weeing for the rest of the day but if it happens again we'll just go straight there and try to jump the queue to a specialist. Poor little man. We often have these sort of waiting times for specialists here. It's terrible, but at least we have some sort of health care. We are better off than half the world. I keep trying to remember that. :)

Sorry for the late reply, Wanting. I must've missed your post.

I'm so glad things are getting better. Sounds like the poor l'il guy was just afraid to pee because of previous pain, which is totally understandable! It's similar to how little ones can end up giving themselves impacted bowels after a round of constipation because they've learned that pooping = pain and fear that pain.

Hopefully that cream is all you need and he won't need further treatment!

[SassyMamma]

I have 6 sons and they are all circumcised.

[mercury]

Yes that is the case I was refering to. But the possiblity of him losing his penis because Staph infection is running like wild fire in hospitals at least in the last 15 years. Here is a website about it Staff increased rate (http://www.sfgate.com/health/article/HEALTH-High-staph-infection-rates-in-hospitals-2554708.php).It can completely eat your sons penis off to the point were he no long has anything down there. Just something to keep a eye out for if you get them circumcised. It only effects wounds so this is certainly associated and relevant.

[Butterfly Spirit]

We did it with both of my sons. Didn't think twice about it really..didn't know about the big controversy either. That is just our background and family beliefs I guess.. however when I got pregnant this time DH and I did talk about not doing it before we knew what we were having. Although I would have chosen to do it so he wouldn't be different from his brothers had we of had a third boy.

[luckylass]

We didn't have it done with either of our boys. It would not be done commonly here unless for a persons religious beliefs and is never mentioned by the hospitals. None of mine or dh's family had it done either. It really is a personal decision for families to make in relation to their own children as are a lot of other decisions we make and while it would not be for me that doesn't mean I am am right or anyone else wrong. I am sure all of us do exactly what we feel is best for our children.

[Ipadmad]

No way