Should I circumcise my son?

Question

I have a son, 2 years old and not circumcised. I see a strong favor towards circumcision on many web sites, hence am planning to get him circumcised. Do you consider it a good idea to do it now?

Answer 1

I asked this question in the Men's health department before my son was born. I decided to not have him circumcised because there is no need for it. Some people are for it but I've also found that a lot of grown men wish they would have been able to make the decision themselves.

Answer 2

FIRST - Watch one being done go to your hospital or you tube although they will properly be from a new born you will defiantly think twice.

Good long term results -
Some woman like it
(Some research says) Side effects of STD's not as bad
(Sometimes) Not as sex crazed at puberty

Neutral long term effects -
Easier to clean (but when there young you can say that it feels good if you wash it they never stop cleaning it)
Some people but very little evidence says that it can alter a boy's personality.
Only about 20% - 60% depending where you live are circumcised today he won’t be left out.

Bad long term results -
(Some research says) Higher chance of getting STD's
Head of penis desensitized
Having to push harder during sex
Almost all circumcised males need lubricant
Partner is less likely to have an orgasm
Foreskin can (sometimes) bleed during masturbation
Circumcised males can have resentment to there parents
The doctor can sometimes stuff up (1/100 loose there penis)
You can't go to Antarctica (high chance of getting frost bite on the head of your penis)

There is research out there saying it protects against HIV and other infections but the thing is there have been tones of tests and they go both ways there is no solid answer to weather it protects or it doesn't I would say it makes no difference. They talk about this in Penn & Teller bullshit S03 EP01 Circumcision

My note - I think you should weight until he can tell you if he wants it done. some one I know did his 6 year old and he isn't the same he’s gone all quite and he doesn't like being touched you can't hug him. There having problems with him at school. The doctor didn't want to do it but my dads friends did him they said "like farther like son" and they said that he’s gone all quite and he said there’s no research into it and there's not much evidence but sometimes it can alter the boy's personality he said he could grow out of it.

I thought it was mean the poor little guy he was happy and healthy the way he was he didn't need to be modified.

Answer 3

I found the following article on the web when I was researching for info. I found it in my files, but if you want I can find the link. Just not today, cause it's 3 in morning right now for me. Email me if you want it.

Circumcision has been the practice in this country for the past 50 years and without anesthetics. "They don’t feel a thing" we are informed; they "cry a bit and go right to sleep" is the verbatim doctrine quoted for decades by surgeons queried about this practice. Nevertheless, an elaborate restrainer device, known as the "circumstraint," secures the infant with Velcro straps for the operation since he struggles fiercely when the cutting takes place.

Recently some surgeons allowed an electroencephalogram (EEG) to be attached to the infant’s scalp while the circumcision took place. The brainwave patterns show serious disturbances as the infant screams. They do not then "just go to sleep"; they go into shock! The brainwave patterns show no resemblance to ordinary infant sleep patterns for several days after the operation.

Also I have read that it's not true that it 's healthier. Actually the foreskin keeps bacteria from going inside. And really it's not that hard to clean a penis that isn't circumsized.

I hope you make the right decision. My oppinion is not based on religion, but on research I did for my knowledge. And I'm very much against it. Find out for yourself though. Read as much as you can on the subject. Good luck.

Mommy 12406 pretty much covers it all. I completely agree with her.

Answer 4

I'm sure you can find just as many websites that advise AGAINST cirumcision. I think it is a personal matter that should be left up to the individual when they are an ADULT. How would you like it if you were circumcised (aka: female genital mutilation) as a baby? Funny how it is call "mutilation" on a female, but routine for a male. It is the same thing no matter how you look at it. Later on in life, there may be some trust issues as well. Do not go through with it, let him decide when he get's older.

Answer 5

Please don't do it. It would be especially tramatic for a 2 year old. Did you know there is 15% less "feeling" (or more) after this is done, and in addition it can affect erectile disfunction in one's older years. So basically if you don't do it, your son will be able to have sex for many more years in life and enjoy it more! It only became a trend at the turn of the century for "sanitation" and to "prevent" masterbation (ie: remove senstaion). Obviously in our clean socitey it is not a problem. Please look up the info online, there is tons of it. Also the HIV study took place in Africa recently and it has some serious flaws too. AAFP has stopped recommending it as a "benefit" for boys. Also, SIDS historically are higher in boys. Think about that? It is purely religious at this point so if you are not Jewish why do it? More and more boys are NOT being circumcised, something like 50-60% so he will not be alone. My husband was not and you can't even tell! You would never even know, and none of his girlfriends in the past even knew. He is fine with doing so if we have a son, but I'm the one saying "no way" it's cruel and we no longer live in the dark ages where people bathe once a year.

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Boyle et al. (2002) argued that circumcision and frenectomy remove tissues with "heightened erogenous sensitivity," stating "the genitally intact male has thousands of fine touch receptors and other highly erogenous nerve endings—many of which are lost to circumcision."[83]. They concluded, "Evidence has also started to accumulate that male circumcision may result in lifelong physical, sexual, and sometimes psychological harm as well."

Answer 6

I have to say, at two years old, I really don't see what the point is now. The health benefits were generally stated because 20 years ago or more hygiene was not as understood as it is today, and treatment for even moderately serious diseases are easily obtained.

As for HIV as one person stated. If a male is at risk for HIV, then it is their lifestyle, and not if they were circumcised or not. I can find MULTIPLE articles that contradict both sides of that argument. And contrary to their statement, education is ALWAYS important, regardless of the decisions they ultimately make.

I am pregnant, and personally I plan to have my son circumcised at birth, but that is because his father is, and I felt it important that this was his father's decision since I don't personally have the right "equipment" to judge and/or compare by, but it was a difficult decision for me, and I would only do it immediately at birth, because the pain and memory of it will be gone, but at two years old, that may be an extremely traumatic experience that could stay with that young boy for years.

Honestly, I'm very surprised any reputable pediatrician would even be willing to do this. Usually at that age, it will only be done by a urologist, and it is considered surgery, which carries a much higher risk (because of his age), and a much higher cost (mentally, physically & financially).

Answer 7

I did a ton of research, as soon as I found out he was a boy, to prepare for this decision. I don't believe in cutting off a piece of my son just because it it the "norm" or any other stupid reason, I wanted to make an informed decicion. After much research, I decided not to have my son cut. This is why:

Myth 1: It is cleaner.
Truth: It is actually easier to clean then a cut penis. The skin acts like a barrier from germs. All that must be done is wash it like a finger, and do not force the skin back. Once it goes back on its own, simply pull it back gently, wash it, and let the skin cover it again. Infections come form parents not cleaning it, and they will have just as many problems if it is cut.

Myth 2: It protects the baby from UTI
Truth: It actually has the opposite effect. A cut penis is far more likely to get infected. When you remove the skin, the head is exposed to the urine and poop in the diaper, and it is easier for germs to enter. Removing the forskin is like removing the outer lips of the female vagina. They are what protect the tender, delicate skin underneath from infection and must be kept clean. Girls have to be taught how to clean their areas, so a boy should be as well. The skin under the forskin is like that of the skin under the fingernail. If the nail is there like it is supposed to be, the skin underneath stays soft. If the nail comes off, tha skin gets harder to protect its self.

Myth 3: It looks better cut.
This is an opinion. When the skin is pulled back, it looks the same as a cut one. It is actually bigger because it has more skin.

Myth 4: Uncut boys get teased in the locker room.
Truth: The ratio of cut to uncut has changed in the recent years, and there are currently more boys being left alone then boys being cut. So, if anyone is getting teased, it is the circumsized boys.

Myth 5: It can lead to problem later in life, and the adult circumsision.
Truth: The only reason this happens is natural. Some men's forskin does not grow large enough for their penis. In these men, even if they were cut, they would still need surgery to properly align the existing skin, and maybe even have more cut because there is not as much for the doctor to work with.

Myth 6: It does not hurt, and they do not remember.
They may not remember actually being cut, but they see the result every day for the rest of their life. Forskin can not ever grow back, and can not be reattached. And for those who don't think it hurts, would you cut your penis, or even finger for that matter? I don't think so. Just because he may not cry, does not mean he does not hurt.

Truth: Sex is better for uncut men.
When the skin is cut to be removed, there are hundreds of nerve ending that are destroyed in the process. This leads to lower sensations in the cut men.

The other one that gets me is to look like daddy. Baby boys genitals, cut or un cut look nothing like a grwon man. Besides, why would the baby need to look at his daddy anyway.

To answer your direct question, no I do not think it is a good idea. He is now at the age he may remember, and this could be quite tramatic. Also, this is the time to start potty training, and having penile surgery could really mess that up. Instead of cutting it off, just teach him to clean it, if you have not already. I could not imagine how a conversation about what is going to/did happen to him would go at this age. If you really want to have it done, at least wait untill he can better understand what is going on. By this time, he will be able to express his thoughts abd feelings better, and may not want it done. If he does, it was his decision over his body. Also, he will be better able to cope with the recovery pain and care when he is older. Right now, you are still in charge of keeping him clean, and all it will do is make this more and more difficult. I really do not see a good reason to do it.

Answer 8

Oh, good, at least you did your research and went on websites. Wouldn't want to do anything silly like ask your son's pediatrician whether it's necessary or not...

No, I don't think you should have him circumsized.

1. There is almost NO actual medical evidence that circumsision is healthier. Most of what IS out there is really only valid for the diapering years, which you are almost out of.

2. There is ONE country in the world today that routinely circumsizes for no medical or religious reason. It just happens that the US is a pretty vocal country. You really don't hear about all the British, Spanish, French, Dutch, Swiss, Argentinian, Philipino, Egyptian, Indian or Muslim boys with lots of penis problems because they weren't circumsized, so the argument that it is best, MEDICALLY, to circumsized kind of loses its relevance there.

3. Your baby didn't come with spare parts. I don't see the difference between routinely removing the forskin and routinely removing every child's appendix, tonsils or wisdom teeth because they might have problems later on.

Thankfully, the habit of performing medically or religiously unnecessary surgeries on infants and toddlers is winding down, and the percentage is about 50/50, so the "locker room complex" is unlikely to be a problem for your two-year-old (I actually asked my son's preschool teacher about this, and she did tell me that of his class, six are circumsized, four are not. Hardly enough of a minority to cause any kind of teasing or complexes.

I assume you're a good mom, who doesn't like to cause her son more pain than is necessary. I urge you to talk to his pediatrician about this. You've gotten through the hard part, just teach your son to clean himself properly (an idea that baffles me, as though boys who are circumsized do not need to clean themselves properly). There's no reason to put him through surgery, even minor surgery, based on popular belief instead of medical fact.




BTW, I am married to an uncircumsized man. My only other sexual partner was circumsized. I can tell you, it don't matter in the sack.

Also, to the woman who asked if all people infected with STD's were in the dark about safe sex, please, if you're going to make an arguement, make one that can stick. Do you honestly believe that having unprotected sex, but being circumsized, will somehow protect you??? Sex is sex, and if you don't practice safe sex, you get the consequences. Not to mention, in the 1980's, when HIV first came into the picture, most men WERE circumsized. So a very very large portion of your earlier AIDS victims were circumsized males who practiced unsafe sex.

Also, whatever you decide, get educated about it. If you decide not to circumsize, while your'e cleaning him and teaching him to clean himself, do NOT pull the foreskin back. It will retract on its own sometime around the age of 5-8 yrs. old. Only pull it back as far as you can before there is any resistance.

Answer 9

No!
85% of the rest of the men in the world are intact.
Read up on it here:

http://www.cirp.org/pages/parents/

http://www.nocirc.org/publish/pamphlet7.html

Perhaps you should stop frequenting websites that promote the cosmetic, surgical, permanent reduction in form, size and function of a child's genitals for spurious "benefits."

Check out the many diseases this surgery has ben promoted to "cure" epliepsy, masturbation, AIDs, etc...
http://www.icgi.org/2007/04/medicalization-of-circumcision-an-online-slide-show/

As for the genius who thinks it will become law in the USA; do you know that the USA has the highest HIV rate and the highest circumcision rates of all industrialized nations? You do know those that those studies were flawed and prematurely terminated to boot?

Answer 10

Earlier is better than later- but if you let it go this long, why bother? More and more men in the US are NOT circumcised ,and men in other parts of the world, like Europe, are not unless for religious reasons.