Why do parents get their son's circumcised even though the AAP now recommends against it?

Question

Aside from religious reasons ~ why would parents have the procedure done knowing that there are no benefits?

The majority of men in the world (85%) aren’t circumcised. And now it is more like 50-50 in the U.S. So the uncircumcised boys certainly will not be alone in the locker room anymore.

People can no longer use the excuse that it's cleaner, prevents infections, less penile cancer rate, better for partner... because these have all been debunked. My spouse is circumcised and he doesn't have the preoccupation with having our sons penis "look like Dad's" since they probably won't be comparing them.

Answer 1

There are really no benefits, maybe because it will look better? Doubt it. My husband and my son are not circumcised. My son is healthy and very clean as is my husband and he is 28 years old. people say because it can cause infections,odor,redness,irritation,dirtiness and so on. But its untrue. I think its cruel and u are chopping off your little boys manhood, they cry for a reason right? If babies feel pain at 24 weeks in the womb then how do u think it must make them feel at birth? As long as u teach your child to clean thoroughly u will have no problems. My babys pediatrician didnt even recommend it. If I have another son he will not get circumcised either.

Answer 2

Uh? Where did you find all the info you provide in your question?

1) The APP never said they are against circumcision. They only say they leave parents to choose, though this may change now that studies have firmly proved that the procedure greatly reduces the risk of AIDS-HIV infection.

2) About 70 to 75% of the male population are uncircumcised, not 85% as you state.

3) It is not true that current rate nowadays in the U.S. is 50/50.
At this time about 65% of all newborns are circumcised *at birth*.
It is very likely that some other 10 to 15% are circumcised at a later stage, some because of cultural or parental reasons, some due to religious reasons (Jews and Muslims do not circumcise at birth usually) and some because of medical reasons.
So the accurate rate is most probably 85/15.

4) None of the studies you mention have been ‘debunked’.
In fact last week the U.S. National Institutes of Health confirmed that circumcision reduces the risk of AIDS- contraction.
The fact that a circumcised penis is much easier to keep clean is obvious and needs no further comment.
Penile infections in circumcised men are extremely rare, whereas in uncircumcised men are more than frequent. Same for penile cancer.

5) You mention some possible errors in the studies carried out by the NIH.
If I were to trust scientists and researchers from prestigious institutions such as the NIH, the University of Columbia, the World Health Organisation or the UNO, or some biased and prejudiced organisations that advocate against circumcision with no serious or trustful data, I would definitely choose the former.
These studies have been carried out by very prominent researchers, and have been reviewed by other scientists, so their accuracy and independence is guaranteed.

It seems that you have been brain-washed by those who fanatically and irrationally oppose circumcision without providing any valid evidence.

Answer 3

TOTALLY FALSE that the APP does recomend against it.


Is it NOT true that the AAP (American Academy of Paediatrics) does not recommend circumcision. They simply say they leave the decision to parents. But recently, and specially after the New Zealand study, the AAP has been discussing if it may be necessary to change their policy and recommend circumcision to all newborns as they used to do, so in the future we may see that the AAP advocates again circumcision.
Have a look at: http://www.baby-health.net/articles/381.html


CIRCUMCISION IS VERY BENEFICIAL, its cleaner and several research bodies have concluded that circumcised men have less risk of contracting STD's such as AIDS-HIV or herpes.

Uncircumcised penises are difficult to keep clean, and more prone to infections and penile cancer, studies have shown.
A circumcised penis is naturally clean and virtually free from urinary infection. You will not have to worry again with careful washing of your penis.

About STD's:

As I said, several studies carried out by prestigious research bodies have concluded that uncircumcised penises are more prone to infections and contraction of STD's, including AIDS-HIV. Circumcised men have been proved to be up to seven times less likely to be infected than those who are uncircumcised. Have a look at this site: http://icuxbridge.icnetwork.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=14095142&method=full&siteid=53340&headline=-circumcision-protects-against-aids--name_page.html

As for women, studies also show that circumcision also protects female partners from AIDS-HIV and other STD's. Browse this article: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Press_releases/2006/02_08_06.html

About sensitivity of a circumcised penis:

No medical or physiological study has proved that circumcision reduces sensitivity, opposed to common belief. It is completely FALSE that circumcision reduces penis sensitivity. The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) confirms this on their web site; have a look at: http://www.aap.org/pubed/zzzjzmemh4c.htm

Circumcision is an easy and nowadays *painless* procedure, which has many benefits, and virtually no risks.
Circumcision is NOT an amputation. Circumcision is NOT comparable at all to female circumcision, which is something completely different.

Circumcision rates are INCREASING nowadays, both in the United States and overseas. Many African and South American countries with little circumcision tradition are starting to promote the procedure to help to reduce the AIDS-HIV infection rates.

Finally, this site has a lot of useful and *unbiased* information. Make sure you have a good look: http://www.circinfo.net

Answer 4

My son turned 2 on September 10th and he had a circumcision done August 4th, because of medical reasons. His condition was called phimosis, its where the tip of his penis was so small that the head could not come through at all. This had to be done as per Head of urology recommendations and if not as he got erections when older it would have been very painful.

In Ontario OHIP will only cover the cost IF IT IS A MEDICAL REASON, not cosmetic choice. It can cost from 150-200 dollars.

Answer 5

Yeah, I had read that only a small percentage of males really, medically needed to have it done. So when we had 2 baby boys, didn't have it done. As it turns out, my sons would be in that minority. So at 4 and 6, we had to take them to the hospital, risk general anesthesia, and have it done. THEN, had to try to keep them quiet at home whilst they recuperated. NOT an easy or fun task!

In retrospect, I wish I'd had it done when they were born. However, I still have problems with the way they do it, often with no or little anesthetic. It's like, "Welcome to the world, let's inflict some really intense pain on you now." It's barbaric. Now that I'm on the soapbox, there are a lot of things that they do in medicine that seem to be done in a barbaric and unnecessarily cruel manner, like bone marrow harvesting and spinal taps and infant circumcisions. I just don't get why they have to be done in such a painful manner.

[/rant]

Answer 6

It helps boys/men stay cleaner and enhances the sexual experience the long term benefits far out weigh the short term risk of infection (which is minimal at worst) which is the reason for the recommendation in the first place aimed at the poor and negligent and those who actually believe the government knows best among the populace

Answer 7

There are plenty of Benefits

Urinary Tract Infections-
Although studies show the relative risk of developing a urinary tract infection (UTI) in the first year of life is higher for baby boys who are uncircumcised, the AAP policy concludes that their absolute risk of developing one is low ¾ at most approximately 1 percent. Research indicates that during the first year of life an uncircumcised male infant has at most about a 1 in 100 chance of developing a UTI, while a circumcised male has about a 1 in 1000 chance.

Penile Cancer-
Studies conclude that the risk of an uncircumcised man developing penile cancer is more than three-fold that of a circumcised man. However, the AAP policy notes that in the United States only 9 to 10 cases of this rare disease are diagnosed per year per 1 million men, indicating that while the risk is higher for uncircumcised men, their overall risk is extremely low.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Some research suggests that circumcised men may be at a reduced risk for developing syphilis and HIV infections. However, the AAP policy states that behavioral factors continue to be far more important in determining a person’s risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases than circumcision status.

Complications-
Research suggests that circumcision is generally a safe procedure. Complications occur in 1 in 200 to 1 in 500 circumcised newborn males and are most often minor; the two most common are mild bleeding and local infection.

Answer 8

I've never regretted my parent's decision. There are certainly hygienic advantages, and my "sensitivity" has never ever been in question.

I have no clue why the anti-circumcision crowd is so wrapped up on this issue. In all of the issues on this green earth to be worried about, this has got to be at the bottom of the list.

Answer 9

I ex-husband was not circumcised and when we would be intimate it was very uncomfortable for me as the excess skin would interfere and even hurt me - making our sex life a horrible and painful experience. He had to get circumcised at the age of 32 and that was "very" painful. Therefore, it is not a hygiene issue but the fact that the excess skin might interfere in your child's/men's intimate relationships. Not only was it uncomfortable for me but he was also feeling pain as the excess skin would pull back when having intercourse.

Answer 10

i dont know where your from but here 80 percent of people are circumsised.my mother is a nurse and they are actually saying here now that it is the right thing to do at the end of the day it is a parents personal choice.for the record im having my son done!