Circumcision - Yes or No?

[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