Circumcision?

Question

I think that all parents considering circumcision should have to watch this video first.

http://www.cirp.org/library/procedure/plastibell/

Why do people still do this to their boys? I guess I just don't understand it.

Answer 1

I'm not circumcised, neither are any of my brothers, and we have never had one single infection between us... and we're in our 30's. I would never circumcise my kid. It's wrong.

Answer 2

Thank you for posting this video. I hope it will help some people have the courage not to mutilate their baby boy. The more educated people are, the less likely they are to do this to their child. Even some Jews are refusing to have it done as a religious ritual now.

My husband is uncut. He has never had an infection there. (He did have an ear infection; some of these people probably think he should have had his ears cut off to guard against that happening.) He does not smell bad, and I have never seen, felt, tasted, or smelled any smegma on him, as he washes before bed!

The solution to people cutting their sons out of ignorance is education. You have helped. Please post this again in a week or so, as many people do not check Resolved Questions and might not see it otherwise.

Answer 3

It used to be a common thing for parents to have done. It was almost like second nature. Mostly because they were told it was healthier for the child and they would experience less health problems during their lifetime. It also used to be free to have it done. When I had my son 2 yrs ago it would have cost us 275.00 to have him circumcised. Not only could we not afford it but the doctor said it wasn't necessary anymore as long as we cleaned it properly. We also didn't want to put him through unnecessary pain. Some people look at it as a religious thing also. Maybe you have changed some minds by having people look at this video especially knowing that no anesthetic is used.

Answer 4

It really is about hygiene. Our family bathes a lot, more than most Americans, I'm totally confident of this. I declined circumcision for my son when born, feeling it to be only cultural nonsense. But after 2 or 3 infections prior to age 6, we got him cut. No more infections. Believe what you wish.

Some may say it's silly for women to douche. I'd disagree on that, too. Now, am I just disagreeable, or have I been around the block? ;)

A lady might find a lot of things hard to understand -- about men and the things they do. But mutual respect should be the byword. Imagine if a man posted a similar question/answer about something women do that doesn't seem to make sense. How long would that post last, I wonder...

Answer 5

CIRCUMCISION IS VERY BENEFICIAL, its cleaner, healthier and several prestigious research institutions have proved that circumcised men have less risk of contracting STD's such as AIDS-HIV, syphilis 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 infections. You will not have to worry again with careful washing of your penis.

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 recent studies by the US National Institutes of Health, 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 circumcision again.
Have a look at: http://www.baby-health.net/articles/381.html

About STD's:

As I said, several studies carried out by prestigious research bodies have proved that uncircumcised penises are more prone to infections and contraction of STD's, including AIDS-HIV. It has been confirmed that circumcised men are up to 70% less likely to be infected than those who are uncircumcised. Have a look at this site: http://www.torontodailynews.com/index.php/HealthNews/2006121404Circumcision

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 ever shown 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, Asian and Latin 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 6

I think it's mostly cultural. Parents want their son to look like other boys.
Fortunately this attitude is changing, however slowly. There have been many studies proving that there is no benefit to being circumcised.
You'll always have the group of people who will claim it's more "hygienic", but soap and water work wonders. I can think of dirtier body parts that we don't alter surgically for hygiene reasons. Yet :)

Answer 7

While it is considered a cosmetic sugary, I would rather have it done to my child as a baby then have him have to have it done later in life because of repeated infections or the eventual inability to take care of themselves (such as people get with many elderly related illnesses like Alzheimer's). Yes I know that not all elderly people get illnesses, but many are placed in nursing homes that may or may not do the best for our loved one when it comes to their personal hygiene. It is a personal choice and one that each parent makes when they have a baby boy.

Answer 8

When babies get circumcision they don't have alot of skin around the tip of the penis. When they grow up the might burn down there. My dad did. But he went an got the skin cut off.

Answer 9

Well it is better to have it done when you are a baby by a doctor.I can tell ya it is worse when you do it yourself while zipping up your pants.Just look at it like a safety issue.

Answer 10

i just dont understand the argument that its 'easier to have it done when they're babies because they MIGHT get an infection'. ignorance. i dont believe in cutting. never have. my mans completely intact and hes clean and health and beautiful. he says hes never had a problem. and even if he did get an infection you just treat the infection. just as a woman buys monistat or goes to her doctor and does. you dont cut off the skin. ridiculous.