Circumcision. to cut or not to cut?

Question

My husband says yes we are doing it. I have decided to leave that decicion up to him if we have a boy. He knows more about it than I do. It seems to be tabo these days to cut your little fella. My husband says it is better in the long run. Just wondering how many out there had it done to their litte boy and what your thoughts are on the subject.

Answer 1

I left the decision up to Andrew, and he decided against it. I wish now that we had of had the boys done.

Answer 2

Either cut or uncut is a matter of preference, but do know that not circumcizing leaves a very very slightly higher chance of penile cancer (one of the rarest forms anyway) and a slightly higher risk of infection including HIV. Note that the HIV thing has been questioned, and the study was done in undeveloped parts of Africa.

On the other hand circumcision IS surgery, don't let anyone tell you otherwise, carries its own complications in the procedure and the healing, not to mention always being painful to the baby boy. If you've ever heard a baby scream in pain you will know that they do feel pain and it is not pleasant for them.

Circumcision is not necessary. Period. Billions of men are testament to this. Boys need to be taught to clean their penises but guess what, girls need to be taught to clean themselves too. It's a simple matter to clean an uncirumcized penis and you can easily learn just as you learn everything else about being a mother. My fiance has been doing it without problems his whole life. Hygiene does not come naturally to young children.

As for "looks," remember that as fewer and fewer parents decide to circumcize, the "normality" of having a circumcized penis will dwindle. Worrying that some woman is not going to like his penis during his sexual life is really not a concern appropriate for a mother regarding her infant. If a man wants to become circumcized as an adult he can and many have, but if a man is circumcized as a baby there is no going back.

Answer 3

We did not have our son cut. My reasons were that birth and postpartum time is stressful enough without having optional surgery on a tender body part. Welcome to the world, slice! I don't feel it is abusive, though. I just didn't need another wound to tend in that time.

Having a foreskin has not been a big deal for my son. His dad is cut, but he hasn't noticed the difference. He did get an infection under it once which was gross beyond all reckoning, but it cleared up in a day and was no big deal, has not recurred. I do make sure he washes.

My husband decided later that he would like to have him cut, and I checked into it. It is a MUCH bigger deal to circumcise in toddlerhood and I was very reluctant to have him put under to do it. So he remains intact.

I don't think it is a choice that matters a whole lot one way or the other.

Answer 4

why dont you leave it up to your son to get it done if he wants to when he is an adult. Just because your husband has been done does not mean your son must be. My step brother and step father are cut and I wasn't. I never thought mine was strange because my mother taught me the truth that mine was the natual one and that they had got theirs done at birth. There is no medical reason to get it done at birth, sure they MAY have a problem latter in life but the chances are very small and if he is taught to clean it properly (my son could from the age of 4) then most likely will have no problem at all. Over 85% of the worlds men are intact and have no problems.

Answer 5

Over in England this really isn't something that gets considered unless: the family are Jewish, or there are problems with the foreskin retracting (later years). I don't know anyone who has been circumcised, and no-one I know has had an infection. In my understanding, a man who has been circumcised has a diminished feeling on his penis. I am married, and I am glad that he feel full sensation. When we have children, I will not put our child through surgery unless medically needed.

Answer 6

OK so I researched this for over a month. My father is roman catholic and doesn't believe in cutting, but my husband is cut and all his family thinks its cleaner. This made for a BIG argument.

After about 5 weeks of research I found out this....

There are +'s and -'s to both sides of the line. Some medical facts are true about both options. Some are 100% fabrications....

Its easier for them to keep clean in there later years. Its more likely the baby will get an infection early on.

They do NOT use pain killers on newborns before its done because it will cause swelling and complicate the procedure.

The CAN cut off to much or to little (to much can cause the penis not to grow right - strange shape, or make it stunted- to little can cause complications and require further procedures)

He will enjoy sex more as an adult with an uncircumcised thingy. Circumcising can prevent men ******* to soon.

Circumcision was originally created to prevent masturbation, medical reasons for doing the procedure came later...

Its a BIG decision and if you want to make sure you made the right one give yourself a week or two at least to learn about it.

Here are some links to start you out if you like...

http://www.circumstitions.com/Sexuality.html#sorrells

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

http://www.nocirc.org/

http://www.circumstitions.com/Itsaboy.html

http://www.totse.com/en/ego/no_laughing_matter/thebestmethodo179258.html

http://www.icgi.org/2007/04/medicalization-of-circumcision-an-online-slide-show/

http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/1f21e.htm

http://www.nocirc.org/publish/3pam.pdf

http://www.cirp.org/library/procedure/plastibell/

http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/STD/

If you have any questions or want to talk you can email me here or at [e-mail]

It was a big decision for us, don't rush into it.

Answer 7

My 18 month old nephew who I currently have custody of just got circumcised about a month ago my sister thought it was not right for it to happen when he was a new born. But after the 3rd infection since he was in may care I spoke to the doctor to see what could be done. It is more then just a look there can be medical consequence to leaving you little man un cut. My husband and I have decided that if we have a little boy he will be cut right away to avoid the pain latter.

Answer 8

Your husband says "it is better in the long run". That is just the thing your husband is too young to know what the "long run" is. More than 51 years of experience, and 2 "circumcised" sons has taught me that "circumcision" is mutilation.

Answer 9

It really depends on the parents. It is all personal preferance and allot of parents like the son to "match" the dad.
My son is not circumcised and that is personal preferance due to "matching" dad and dad knowing how to teach him to care for everything.

It really is everyones personal preferance.

Answer 10

I did not have my son cut, the doctor told me it was best to have my son to be the same as his dad. I never had any problems with him. I think its just a personal decision for the parents to decide.

Answer 11

I have watched too many videos of circumcisions to EVER even think about doing that to my child. I'm hoping to have a boy, and just like daddy, he will be a complete and healthy baby, foreskin and all. Besides, why have a surgical procedure when it's not needed?