Circumsized?

Question

Why do people freakin circumsize their babies. I was but I owuld like to know what the point is.

Answer 1

Just a comment for the person who said "trust me you've never seen it done it is painful." I have seen it done many, many, many of times. I am a surgical tech in the OR and have assisted with this procedure on newborns and older males. I hardley ever see a baby cry when this is being done. They cry more when they are getting their shots or their heel pricked after birth. I usually stand over them while assisting and talk to them and most of the time they never even flinch. Most of them that do cry start crying because of the shock from being taken out of a nice warm blanket and sprawled out on a circ table. Once the light is turned on and they warm up they stop crying. Obviously you have never seen it done because it is not what everyone makes it out to be at all. Some of the things I have seen people say are absolutely ridiculous. Medication is also available upon request by the mother to give the baby to numb the site. Topical analgesics are available but not used unless requested because there is no need for it. They are not in pain during the procedure. There are no nerve endings formed yet in the tip of a newborns penis so they don't feel it. People do this for their own personal choice and some people really need to learn to respect that and shut up. The person that said they heard a baby screaming fron it being done, I doubt it the procedure is not done where you would be able to hear or see anything going on especially in a hospital. You obviously heard something else and if you did hear it being done you don't know the baby was crying while the procedure was being done or becuase of something else I mean babies do cry.

Answer 2

There are a lot of answers pro and con for this issue, which can be very divisive! Check out Wikipedia's article about it - it's quite helpful to see both sides.

Some reasons for circumcision:
- People believe it's healthier (debateable; risk of infection is marginal and assumes he NEVER cleans there!)
- People believe it's cleaner (debateable)
- There is one kind of cancer that only affects the foreskin (true!)
- It is common in North America (true, but declining)

Some reasons against:
- Circumcision can affect a man's sensitivity (debateable)
- Circumcision can affect a man's self-esteem (true but minor)
- It is uncommon in most of the world, including Europe
- Adult men can always choose to become circumcised, but not the other way around.
- Rarely circumcision has complications, some of which can lead to castration or even death! (the latter is about 1 in a million, however)

I'm not sure if I'll get my children circumcised or not - hopefully I'll have all girls and not have to make this decision!

Answer 3

I had my son circumsized, because I am a single mother, and I havent the first clue about properly cleaning it. I didnt want to risk my son getting an infection or something, because I wasnt cleaning it right. And be honest, what little boy is going to take the time to properly clean it. And as far is it being painful, it wasnt for my son, because they used an anesthetic, I know because i had to sign the permission form for it.

Answer 4

I circumsized my son, it was my own personal choice. People have their own personal beliefs of why they do it, therefore this question makes for too many issues, My fiance was in the room when they did it and they numbed the area. So no pain or screaming was involved....

Answer 5

I know anti-circumcision people aren't going to be happy with the new info, but, according to the newest research in Pediatrics, in a 25 year study of circumcised and uncircumcised males, it was found that, even after adjusting for number of sexual partners, incidences of safe sex, etc., UNcircumcised males were three times more likely to contract a sexually transmitted disease.

I think it should be done with pain relief, and, of course, I acknowledge that it's painful, but, quite honestly, if a few days (at most) of pain could prevent my son from a life-threatening STD could, I'd have it done.

Parents make painful choices every day. In this case, I would be protecting my son from deadly consequences.

Answer 6

Circumcision began, because a couple of priests thought that by removing the most sensitive part of the penis they could rid the world of masturbation. Well we all know that didn't work... It's true... look it up.
I chose NOT to Circumcise my sons penis Many parents are starting to realize that the reasons for doing it are totally bogus, and are based on misleading information. Although there are other parents who see it as a cosmetic issue. Pretty barbaric if you ask me!! IF YOUR SON WANTS THE PROCEDURE DONE HE CAN MAKE THAT CHOICE IN THE FUTURE. DON'T DECIDE FOR HIM, ITS A CHOICE THAT LASTS A LIFETIME!

And to anyone that says that it doesn't hurt... YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN IT DONE! TRUST ME, IT'S PAINFUL!

Answer 7

A recent medical study done by the University of Chicago showed that medical circumcision of men reduces their risk of acquiring HIV during sexual intercourse by 53%. It is now proven to be an effective prevention strategy to reduce HIV infections in men. Circumcision certainly does not take the place of a condom, but it is proven to help reduce your risk.
You can read about this study yourself:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/12/061213174708.htm
hope you're happier that you were circumcised :-)

Answer 8

I had my boys done because when they get older i didn't want them to feel like they were different. Although i will say the pain that they endured was very wearing on my mind.

Answer 9

Dunno. When I was in labor with my first child, I heard the screaming from an infant that was being circumsized. I vowed from that day forward that NONE of my boys would be circumsized!! I have 4 uncircumsized boys and they are doing very well!!

Answer 10

Generally newborns get Circumcised right away because they are in so much shock from the birthing process, the circumcision doesn't cause as much pain. It's easier to keep clean and in our culture, its not as social acceptable to many only because it is unfamiliar.