Circumcision: Should we/ shouldn't we?

Question

I just need some opinions, as I am still not sure how to feel about circumcising my son. He is 10 months old now. He was not circumcised to begin with because he was a preemie born 6 weeks early. I am at the point now, should I put him through that? It doesn't seem to bother him at all, and I always make sure his parts are clean. His father is Muslim and says he prefers him to be, but is not pushing it. I am not religious, so I don't have a religious reason to do it. I am just not sure. Your opinions, please? Thanks!

Thanks Jim A..I appreciate your input (who the heck is giving all these thumbs down here?)

And Ronatnyu!

Answer 1

Original poster... you are doing the right thing you're showing that you truly care about your son by not taking away something so special. You're taking the extra few seconds to keep it clean, rather than being lazy and taking away something so precious. Just make sure to explain to him the importance to keep it clean when he's old enough to shower by himself.

And about the "fitting in" excuse that's the lamest thing I have ever heard, not only is it becoming the norm to keep boys intact, but taking away something so precious just for the sake of looking like his dad is stupid.

So stay strong and don't circumcise him for his sake. Intact boys is getting more common I've noticed it(very vaguely and with out gawking, let's stay mature about this) in the showers at the YMCA, and at nudist beaches I've gone to. American women are just going to have to get used to it and not be weirded out by the sight of a "normal" penis instead of one that has been mutilated.

someone said.

"Yes! I believe in circumsition. Like some of the others have said it can lead to infection if mot properly cleaned, and what pre-teen/teenage boy do you know that is going to take the extra effort to do that? You don't wanna be sticking your head in the shower when he's 12 asking him if he's cleaned it right. I agree that you shouldn't have waited this long because the healing process will now be more noticeable that he's older, but I would get it done!"


Well if you get them in the habit of cleaning it on a daily basis then it shouldn't be a problem this is the first time I had to address this issue. Keep cleaning it while he's a baby, then when he's old enough to clean it himself have a mature talk about how important it is to keep it clean.



::EDIT::

Another thing about "fitting in", I would have loved to be walking around the shower room, and people pointing at me and saying "What's wrong with your penis". Then I could reply to them...."absolutely nothing, it is exactly the way it is supposed to be.. my parents cared enough about me to not have me circumcised, and took care of my body to the fullest until I was able to for myself.
By the way what's wrong with yours?... oh yeah it's mutilated because your parents truly didn't really care about you and were lazy, because they weren't going to protect you from unnecessary harm, they actually brought unnecessary harm upon you."

So, don't fall for the old "fitting in" or "looking like his dad" argument. My son's not going to look like me that's for sure.

SO PLEASE IF YOU TRULY LOVE YOUR SON YOU WILL PROTECT HIM AND KEEP HIM CLEAN AND TEACH HIM HOW TO KEEP IT CLEAN. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE PENIS THE WAY IT IS. GOD GAVE MALES FORESKIN FOR A REASON. DON'T MESS WITH HIS DESIGN. YOUR HUSBANDS RELIGION IS NOT A JUST CAUSE BECAUSE, I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT YOU, BUT IT SEEMS AS THOUGH YOU DON'T HAVE THE SAME BELIEFS.

SO PLEASE LEAVE HIM BE SO HE CAN ENJOY IT LATER ON IN HIS ADULT YEARS.

The next generation of kids growing up is gradually letting go of the routine circumcision phase so thats another reason the "fitting in" argument is irrelevant.




::2nd EDIT::

After watching the video provided below by 'aeidensmommy' I am 500% not going to have my son circumcised. There is no way in hell I'd be able to put my son through that.

That was the most disturbing thing I have ever seen. My friend who turned vegetarian after seeing a slaughterhouse video found this to be more disturbing than the way they kill cows for beef.

Can any of you actually still say there's nothing wrong with infant circumcision?

In the past I've heard arguments like, "well obviously it's going to hurt and they'll cry a bit" that baby was in intense agony because of what was being done to him. And the doctor said the thing he hates most is not being able to move. This has got to defy some type of Human Rights section.

The doctor also mentioned something about the anesthetic... so much for relieving pain.

Answer 2

You have posed a question faced by most Moms of boys and it IS a dilemma, isn't it! It appears that if he had not been premature, you would have had him circumcised. The fact that he is older and more alert now makes it more difficult, but in your place, I would proceed and have him done.

Here's why. You say his father is Muslim and thus he is circumcised. The fact that you are not religious is one thing but should your son ever choose to follow in his father's faith, he will be required to be circumcised. Muslims circumcise for several reasons but one is for ease of hygiene and as your son matures this will be a matter of concern for both he and you.

Circumcising boys also reduces the risks of various health concerns of the penis. Phimosis and balanitis are prevented by having him circumcised. Recent research points to increased risks of HIV/AIDs and various viral STDs.

If you live in North America, as your son grows, he will find that the majority of his peers are circumcised and may be more comfortable to be like them.

You are very wise to be considering this matter now. When you have him circumcised at this age he will be given a general anesthetic, so e will have no pain. Moreover, he is still too young to have any permanent memory of his surgery.

Certainly at the end of the day, the choice is yours. You ARE seeking opinions, however, and you now have mine.

He'll be happier in the long run, when he is circumcised. Best wishes.

Answer 3

Only about half of parents in America are are choosing to do this procedure. There are no health organizations in the world that routinely recommend it. If one day your son asks you "why am I different then my friend?" Would you rather tell him "We cut part of you off" or "you were born perfect"?

Please watch a circumcision before you have it done,

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6584757516627632617

And if you decide to, be there with your son, to make sure he is given -adaquit- pain relief!

Answer 4

My son will be 10 months old on the 27th and he is gonna need to be circumcised do to medical reasons. My husband and I did not want it to happen and the doctor has agreed that he will do the least amount possible. I also keep my son very clean but sometimes medically it needs to happen. I would not do the circumcision unless a doctor tells u its needed and why. Best luck with ur decision.

Answer 5

Ok let me tell you this I am not a parent but I have asked the same question about it, so here it goes I have learned that many things about them being circumcised is a myth. one that he will get STD not true he will get them either way whether he is or not. And hygiene reasons well as a mother we teach them to use soap and how to clean it. They were born with it so why bother with it. Did you know that the only reason the doctor in forces it is because they use the tissue for other medical use. And to top it off they don't use anesthesia for the procedure which scares the **** out of me period. The whole topic has to do with the parents choice and it has been a fashion thing I have done the research. And everyone has there reasons but in the end the effect is the same trust me being circumcised does not make you a better lover or not stop you from getting STD's. What you should find out is what they use the tissue for and it will make since why the doctor says to get them circumcised. Good luck sweetie.

Answer 6

Honestly, our reason for having the circumcision was more for cosmetic reasons. We decided that we wanted our son to be like his father. I don't really know much about what it would be like if he did not have the circumcision, but I just prefer it. It comes down to a preference. If you don't care and your husband can agree than don't have it done. But, if you have no religious reasoning and your hubby does, it might be better to respect his since it does not matter to you either way. If I were in your shoes, I would respect my husbands wishes if I did not have any specific ones of my own.

Answer 7

My son is 5 weeks old, and about to get his circumsision done! If you want to do it, it is best you do it as soon as possible! If you do it when they get any older, they will remember it as the get older! That is not something you would want them to remember! I suggest you do, it will keep him alot more cleaner, and you will not have to worry about infections! Good Luck, Make the choice you think is best!

Answer 8

I circ'ed my first son, because I thought that I "had" to...I learned afterwards that I didn't "Have" to. I watched a video about a year ago, and realized what I put my son through. We are supposed to protect our children.. Where was I when he was screaming his brains out because he was being cut awake for NO reason? I still have nightmares about this, and have recently joined a yahoo group of others that cut their child without really knowing what was going on. This is something that has scarred me for life. I regret ever doing it. The Dr's told me that he didn't even cry.. He was in SHOCK! I feel like a terrible terrible mother.
I recently had my second son, and he is intact. I do NOTHING to clean it. You don't pull it back, you don't do anything.

And on a side note, I have slept with a Circ'ed guy and a non circe'd guy...I would take a NON circe'd guy anytime!!!
Please read the links below, and see the photos. You will cry.



March 1, 1999: After a two year investigation, the American Academy of Pediatrics concluded that the "potential medical benefits" of infant circumcision aren't significant enough and therefore, they do not recommend it as a routine procedure.
Routine Infant Circumcision [RIC] is not practiced in most medically advanced nations. Unlike American parents, few parents worldwide are actually faced with this choice. Their babies are automatically brought home intact. 82% of the world’s living men are intact. Few people are aware of the fact that circumcision was introduced to our culture in an attempt to eliminate masturbation.

People mistakenly believe the circumcised penis is cleaner. The myth that the penis with a foreskin is difficult to clean is exactly that -- a myth. Cleaning is so simple, it’s amazing that people fret so much about it. The big hoopla over hygiene is pure and unnecessary paranoia.
Circumcision does not guarantee a problem free penis. In fact, in many cases it is the very thing that initiates numerous problems. Careful cleaning must be performed. Infections of the raw wound are common.

Answer 9

I have four boys and didn't cut any of them even though I was circumcised.

It was done for health reasons before ...so that's not an issue now and the best reason is that uncut things are more sensitive so the actually act will be more pleasurable for them.

SO who am I to spoil their fun.

Answer 10

Yes! I believe in circumsition. Like some of the others have said it can lead to infection if mot properly cleaned, and what pre-teen/teenage boy do you know that is going to take the extra effort to do that? You don't wanna be sticking your head in the shower when he's 12 asking him if he's cleaned it right. I agree that you shouldn't have waited this long because the healing process will now be more noticable that he's older, but I would get it done!