Circumcision?

Question

My husband and I are not in agreement as to whether or not we should circumcize our son after birth?

He (hubby) is circumsized and just assumes our baby would be. He doesn't really have any reason that we should have it done, other than "most guys are".

I'm not really against circumcision, but I don't really see the need for it either. It just seems like it might be sort of a needless surgery.

I've done some research and I can't really find any substantial evidence that circumcision is all that bad or all that beneficial. There are pros and cons to either decision.

What was the reason you decided to circumcize your son or not to?

I just have to add this... I don't buy the whole "circumcision equals less sensation" theory... as I said, hubby is circumcized, and let's just say it's not an issue.

Besides, there is no scientific evidence to back up that idea.

Thanks for all the personal experiences... those are what I'm interested in. I've already done research for medical facts... I'm curious about people's own experiences in this situation. :)

Answer 1

I'll make it really simple.

1. No one can tell you whether it "feels better" one way or another except a man who has had it done later in life. For the most part they have no complaints.

2. In general, uncircumcised men WILL have more infections.

3. The infection problem with circumcised men is practically zero.

4. Men who have infection problems as adults will often opt for the "ultimate solution" - circumcision to cure it - and it does cure it.

5. Those who fall into category 4 will report tremendous pain in recovery.

6. You can visibly see that infants do not suffer as much as an adult with the procedure.

7. Circumcision is now the method of AIDS prevention being promoted in Africa since circumcised men are less prone to catch it.

You do the math.

Answer 2

The only thing I can say is continue to research and educate your selves. I wouldn't go off of what others "say". You will get too much conflicting info and unreliable info/resources here. Because it's highly controversial and some are just not neutral on the subject. I don't believe that there is any substantial evidence of benefits for for one to out weigh the other. As for loss of sensitivity this has not been proven by any medical or psychological study. That is a statement from the AAP. Also the AAP no longer recommends routine circumcision but in my eyes from things that I've read from the AAP they don't support either side. Also a statement from the AAP, circumcision is more risky if done later in life.

The smart thing to do is talk to a Dr about it since you cannot find anything substantial enough for your decision. Especially if your typing in a search bar on the internet. Also, don't let the links to video's or pictures on the internet fool you that these idiot's will give you. I feel sorry for the ones that assume these are correct and up to date, anyone that relies on that crap from the net is a fool.

Answer 3

My opinion negating personal experience:
The foreskin is there for a reason. It is a needless procedure that can have some severe consequences, including death. Yes, it has happened. I wouldn't put my child through anything that is purely cosmetic while taking a risk such as that. Also, it is painful, and can have life-long effects on a child. There have been numerous studies on it. I'll include my links if you are interested in looking at some more.
Another fact your husband may not know: 82% of males are NOT circumcised worldwide, over 50% in America. So, in reality, if your son IS circ'ed, he will be a minority, especially as parents realize they have a choice, and realize how barbaric and unnecessary it really is.

My personal experience opinion?
Babies are perfect. And I will not mar that perfection. I would no more consider performing circumcision on my daughter than I would my sons. They can make that choice someday, if they so desire. My grandpa was not circumcised, and he regrets having it done as an adult. He misses how much more he could "feel" things when he had his foreskin.. He chose to have it done after he was diagnosed with diabetes.
I have done daycare for some boys that were intact. They are very easy to take care of. The foreskin doesn't retract until anywhere between age 3-13, so cleaning is simply wiping any debris off of the shaft. As they get older, they just pull back the foreskin to clean underneath. No scrubbing, no soaps or anything. Nothin' special. It is natural and the way nature intended it. Do you really think God would make such a mistake?
I am also surprised you haven't found any research or evidence that circumcision is harmful. But, I hope you make a good decision! Good luck, and congrats!

Edit:
I am sure you husband has great feelings of sexual pleasure and all, but his foreskin also has many nerve endings, some very special to that area, that enhance sexual pleasure even more. It isn't that circ. takes all the pleasure away, it is that circ. takes some away, along with other very vital ingredients to a healthy sexual life.

Answer 4

My husband & I chose not to have any of our sons circumcised. To be honest I was scared more than anything. Their packages are so small & you hear about those "rare" instances where they get nipped off. I just felt like when they're old enough to make that decision for themselves than they can get it done then. It isn't necessary, & having a baby & being a baby is IMO hard enough without having to add more trauma.

BTW all 3 of my sons are fine. Supposedly it takes a little more effort to keep 'em clean but I think they'd take just as long no matter what. :P I imagine when they get older, teen years they might get teased by other boys who are circumcised but eh they can always come back w/ the saying that women find uncircumcised men more...stimulating. (I know hard to think that they'll grow up one day & be doing 'that' but it'll be here before we know it! scary)

Answer 5

I am SO glad we wound up having two girls and I didn't have to fight this fight. My husband felt very strongly that he wanted his son to look like him, and that if he was the one to teach our son how to use it, he had to know himself how to take care of it. I told him I didn't think that was a good enough reason, and that the American Academy of Pediatrics stopped recommending it as routine several years ago. He was very stubborn on the point; it's a very personal decision but you absolutely both must be in agreement. Good luck.

Answer 6

Not, because it is barbaric mutilation, desensitizes the area that should be naturally protected by the foreskin and (believe it or not) is occasionally fatal.
It is only popular in America (ironically) because England's Queen Victoria declared in her last days (while deluded by dementia) that all Britons were descended from the lost tribes of the Israelites and should be circumcised. This edict was carried out in the Empire for a few years until it was realized that she had in fact been mad/crazy but in America it became a fashion and Puritan gesture to God as pleasure was/is a sin (thus desensitizing the penis a good thing).
Recently however in African countries where AIDS is endemic largely because anal intercourse is the only method of birth control available it has been shown that circumcision in these circumstances really does reduce HIV transmission, but I still wouldn't condone it unless I lived there.

Answer 7

I was debating whether or not to circumcise my son as well. This is our first child, and we want the best for him, so like you, I did plenty of research. What sealed the deal for me to decide AGAINST circumcision is the fact that my fiance is not circumcised himself. He is nearing 27 and not once has he had an infection. He keeps his penis clean, and I trust him to be able to teach our son how to care for his own penis when he is older. My close friends with sons also decided against circumcision and their sons have not had any infections either. I understand that some people believe it decreases the risks of getting UTI's or contracting AIDS, proper hygiene and education in and of itself should be sufficient. No matter how much foreskin I remove from my son, nothing will be as effective as practicing safe sex and caring for his own body. No circumcision it is!

Answer 8

Circumcision of males is a religious commandment in Judaism and Islam, most Roman Catholic families do not follow that practice.

It was used in ancient times because it helps keep that part of the body clean and free of infections, now days we have access to water and soap and most men take bath everyday so that practice should not be necesary.

I never had it and I never had any problems. just teach your son to keep it clean

Medical associations in the US, Australia, and Canada do not recommend the routine non-therapeutic circumcision of newborns

Answer 9

Circumcision rates are really going down. If your husband is interested in the "fitting in" theory (and LOTS of men are), then your son will be in the majority if he is intact.

Answer 10

My husband and i had this very same debate. I finally gave in to his side of the argument because he absolutely would not back done on the issue. I regret it though. It got infected in the beginning because basically i didn't know how to care for it properly i suppose. There are more and more parents know choosing not to have it done, so I wouldn't worry about him not fitting in. But if you do opt for circumcision be sure to ask plenty of questions, i sure wish i would have.