My future husband ,isn't circumsized,but my brothers and father are,so should I get my son(s) circumsized?

Answer 1

They shouldn't.

Circumcision is on the downfall. The US is the only industrialized nation to continue to do it, but the rates are falling quickly. Depending on the state, the rates are as low as 14%. See here for the most up to date statistics:
http://www.cirp.org/library/statistics/USA/staterates2004/

And worldwide (Europe, Latin America, and Asia don't circumcise):
http://www.circumstitions.com/Maps.html

New studies (as in from this month or two) have again found that it reduces pleasure and sensitivity. Here's two of them:
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1464-410X.2006.06646.x
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1464-410X.2006.06685.x

In addition, it's painful:
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/9712/23/circumcision.anesthetic/
http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/1f21e.htm
http://www.cirp.org/library/procedure/plastibell/

If you leave them uncircumcised, they can make the choice for themselves; more than likely they're remain uncircumcised. On the other hand, if they're circumcised and end up unsatisfied, they really can't do anything. And there's a significant number of men who are unsatisfied; just Google foreskin restoration (that's when they stretch out the skin for like a year or two with a device, but it doesn't restore the nerve endings and such. Getting circumcised as a teen or adult isn't that painful; because unlike newborns you get put to sleep; you just have to leave it alone for a few days.

As far as HIV/AIDS claims go, the US is the industrialized nation with the highest HIV rate, and guess what, we're the highest circumcision rate, too.
https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/rankorder/2155rank.html

As far as cleaning goes; it's quite simple. For the first few years the foreskin is attached to the head, that means it won't move. That happens so nothing goes in there, such as poo. As the boy ages it'll detach, that's when you can teach him to slide the foreskin with one hand, rub the head with the other, and rinse it off. It takes like 10 seconds and feels good; I know, I'm uncircumcised.

Here's a few links about how the foreskin works, too:
http://www.twbookmark.com/books/70/0446678805/chapter_excerpt15690.html
http://www.cirp.org/pages/anat/
http://www.mothering.com/articles/new_baby/circumcision/protect-uncircson.html

Most of the replies on here come from women/guys with only experience with circumcised penises, hence it's automatic that they think it's better. Which makes sense, when you own something of the certain type (say like a car) you're bound to defend it. Get informed. =) Haha, this morning my time there was a similar thread and all the replies were anti-circ; that's because it was the time Europeans were online.

You can read this too; it's basically what I summarized with this post and a few of the complications of circumcision:
http://forums.govteen.com/showpost.php?p=3069995&postcount=2

Answer 2

There are a couple of ways you can go about this. Ask yourself: have you or your husband experience any problems because he's uncircumcised? Does your husband like being uncircumcised? Do you have any issues with your husband being uncircumcised? If the answers to the above are "no" or "not really" or "don't care" (or something to that extent) then you probably shouldn't circumcise your son(s).

If you're unsatisfied through that introspection, then there are a couple other things you should know. First of all, about 70-80% of the world's male population are uncircumcised. About 95% of uncircumcised guys never experience any real problems due to their foreskins. Also, the cleanliness issue of the foreskin is blown way out of proportion. The foreskin is very easy to clean and keep clean once you know what you're doing (see link 1).

Second of all, circumcision is painful on the infant (see link 2). Even with anesthesia not all infants respond similarly to it, so some still feel pain and giving more might be dangerous. Also, circumcision (especially in infants) carries its own risks and complications. Typically, the rate of complications from circumcision almost equals the chance your son(s) will develop some problem involving his foreskin. Some of these are minor, others are quite severe (see link 3, it's pretty graphic).

Third, circumcision reduces a lot of the sensation in the penis and can also decrease sexual pleasure for both the man and woman (see links 4 and 5).

And lastly, you should be aware of the recent hype about circumcision and its correlation to decreased HIV rates. Studies in Africa have shown this, but the information is not complete. Proper and prompt hygiene of the penis practically negates the difference between uncircumcised and circumcised men with regards to HIV contraction rates (see link 6). With proper hygiene, there is no statistically significant difference; and safe sex (such as condom use) easily beats circumcision any day. Also, the studies are still being debated so it's a little premature to lean towards circumcision for that reason (see link 7).

Finally, for what it's worth, I'm uncircumcised and have never had any problems with it. You hear how people get infections, or irritations, or have a smell, but people who have a complaint complain, so it's a skewd view. I've never had any of those problems and taking care of my foreskin is easy; I wouldn't have it any other way really and I like it the way it is. If you leave your son(s) uncircumcised, they will probably never develop any problems and they will probably never resent you for keeping them uncircumcised. If they want to get circumcised, they can always get it done later - at least they have a choice and it's their choice.

Answer 3

actually it is YOUR personal preference...however, the tides are changing....I am seeing more and more boys NOT circd....
it is a barbaric procedure and there really is no use for it, to be honest...if you take care of the foreskin until your son can do it and instruct him on the keep it clean side of the story...he should do fine...
two obstacles that i have come up against with not being circd are, the boys make fun of me because i look different and my gf will not go down on me either....
those two things will change over time as well as more boys are becoming 'natural', but that is what i see in the ED...

i would hope that you will leave him natural, teach him to be responsible about cleaning and then when he gets older explain to him why he is different...
good luck

Answer 4

Jess, this is really for you and your Husband decide. I am not circumcised, and have never had any real issues. Typically these days, there is no real reason to get it done. People are typically naieve and uneducated about the issue, and do it because they think it's the socially exceptable thing to do. if your sons want to have it done later on in life, then that should be their choice. Not yours.

Answer 5

There is a lot of good information at http://www.cirp.org/pages/parents/

Why would you want to subject your baby to intense pain as a way of welcoming him into the world? He won't remember it, but he will experience it. Some parents say their sons slept through the procedure. Now it is proven that babies that appear to sleep through circumcision actually have gone into shock! In some cases their hearts stop. If you are even thinking about doing this horrible thing to your baby, please watch the video at http://www.cirp.org/library/procedure/plastibell/ If you can't bear to watch it, remember that this will be happening to your helpless child, who trusts you to take care of him, whether you watch or not.

Why would it matter what was done to other family members? Each boy is a distinct individual, and he has the right to grow up intact. His body, his choice.

Answer 6

No,no,no,no,It isn't your penis to mutilate,hack and chop about as you wish.You have the duty to have medical procedures performed on your future children for the sake of their health not for cosmetic reasons.I don't think you would have any daughter circumcised but you think it is perfectly fine to have your sons,if any,mutilated.The way that most of the women here have answered the question is that it is as natural as having the hair or fingernails cut.It isn't the same,hair and nails grow back,once the foreskin is hacked off that is it,it doesn't grow back.It is surgery for gods sake,complications can,do,will and have happened.Babies have died too.Let the child decide for HIMSELF when HE is old enough to know what HE wants done to HIS penis.

Answer 7

i think that it would be better to not circumsize him. my dad is not and i am. the first time i can remember seeing his penis i didnt know what to think of it. mine didnt look like that. kinda freaked me out a little. years before i realized why we were differant.

Answer 8

Probably. With circumcision comes a loss of sensation during sex (so they say). Having said that, I'm circumcised and sex still feels pretty good to me. Anyway, the real consideration is that there is now evidence that circumcised males are 70% less likely to contact AIDS/HIV and 50% less likely to contract STDs. The results of this study are supported by the National Institute of Health. Additionally, personal hygene down there isn't a big issue with circumcision. So I guess it's a trade off. Personally, I'm glad I got snipped.

Here's your proof:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16184582/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15593753/

Answer 9

There is no medical reason to circumcise these days (a hundred years ago hygiene may have been a problem).

Now days it is purely a social issue. However, make a decision, this is not a procedure one would like to have as an adult.

Answer 10

Family history doesn't matter in this case. You and your future husband should discuss it together, and decide whether or not you want to do it. Personally, I believe if God didn't want skin there, He wouldn't have put it there...but that's just my opinion. Do what you feel is right.