At what age do I circumcise my child?

Question

Is it better as an infant, or should I wait a few years?

Answer 1

in my opinion, you shouldnt at all. It is unnecessary medically but can have serious negative effects on their sexual development. not to mention its disfiguring them without their consent. If your child wants to be circumcised, let them decide when they are adults.

Answer 2

When the child consents. There is no reason to do it at such a young age. After all, it's their penis and their choice.

Disadvantages of doing it on a newborn:
- in 96% of newborn circumcisions, proper anaesthetic isn't used
- this means they get a lot of pain and often go into shock, it can disrupt breast feeding later on etc.
- if they do use anaesthetic, this can often be dangerous on an infant
- the foreskin has to be forcibly separated from the glans, not just cut off the penis
- the penis is very small so doctors can make mistakes more easily, or remove too much skin, requiring re-circumcisions or causing problems later in life (painful, constricted, hairy or bent erections)
- the surgical wound is stuck in a nappy/diaper the whole time and is very susceptible to infection
- the owner of the penis has not consented

Disadvantages of doing it a few years down the track:
- possibly the worst time because the child still doesn't consent, they will remember and be in pain but will not understand why

There are no pressing reasons to get it done at a young age. Leave the choice to the child. Remember, the "benefits" of circumcision (none of which have been poven) like reduced chance of HIV infection or penile cancer, still apply to somebody getting circumcised at 18 because infection/cancer is rare beforehand.

Answer 3

I absolutely love how everyone thinks religious reasons are okay (and medical) but everything else is bad. Whatever. Religion is the justification for female circumcision (at 12, 13)--does that make it okay? And if you wait long enough for the boy to give consent, he's going to be in a hell of a lot more pain than if he were an infant...although some apparently think the infant suffers too. Again, whatever.

Answer 4

Seven days after the boys birth. This has been done for over 5000 years. There is nothing wrong with it. It was started as a way to keep the penis clean and healthy. Today most people bathe. But I see no reason to stop this act.

Answer 5

It's better to be done as an infant or not at all. Once he's older the procedure becomes more complicated. Plus, it's something weird and embarrassing for a kid to go through...but he wont remember the experience at all if it's done when he's an infant.

Answer 6

It is better as an infant if you are going to do it. I don't think I could make an appointment for an older child to go through that. My heart would just bleed for them.

I don't know how the recooperation rate is for older children either. Might be harder to take care of of keep clean since when they are babies you do it for them, but would you take care of your 9 year old's penis? Would he be able to keep it clean and uninfected?

Answer 7

If its a girl, its illegal to mutilate her body. But if its a boy, its okay, any time every time all time always and by any methods; even a person trembling with old age can do it on your child using sohpisticated instruments such as a common razor used for shaving.

Answer 8

Well, my initial question is 'Is it a male child or a female'?

I assume it's male, but ...female circumcision has been carried out in the UK and is both Illegal and classed as 'Mutilation.'

Assuming it's male child 'and that you are not going to Do It Yourself,' then seek advice from your GP (It's 'Illegal' to Do It Yourself too).

As for the answer from 'Janjan,' you are in error. 'Sorry, but you are Wrong.' I was circumcised as an infant, and given my circumstances, I'm very pleased it was done.

Sash.

Answer 9

Never! It's a totally unnecessary mutilation. The risks far outweigh any of the very dubious, so-called benefits. He loses the gliding action of his foreskin that acts like lube and what would have grown into 15 square inches of skin, packed with nerves. The foreskin has now been proven to include the most sensitive areas of the penis.
Don't do this to the poor kid.

Answer 10

Why not chop off a couple of fingers while you are at it?

Unless there are very pressing medical reasons for the procedure (very rare) or religious requirements (I disagree but understand) then you are disfuguring your child for no reason. The prepuce has a function else it would not have evolved (or been created by God if you are a believer).

In the USA in particular it is simply a way for doctors/surgeons to make a few $$$ personally. It is interesting to note that circumcision in the US is approx 60% - 70% where the doctor keeps the fee and only approx. 2% in Europe (excluding religious circumcisions) where they do not.

There is skewed research indicating a possible increase in cancer in uncircumcised men but as it is in older men (60+) and easily treated this does not justify such barbaric treatment.

Do some research via Google and you may find a recording of a baby's screams when this supposedly painless procedure is done - maybe you'll think again!

If your son wants to have it done he can do so when he has the capacity to make a choice.

http://home.comcast.net/~iloveme/WEBPAGES/CAST/ANTICIRC/ANTICIRC.htm

P.S. Another couple of websites

http://www.webmagician.com/pubservice/index.shtml

http://www.nocirc.org/

Answer 11

I'm happy you asked this question so I was able to see the answers my Hubby is dead set on getting our son done and I've told him when he books the appointment for himself... he's not rushing to do that now said that he is too old now and it will make the baby clean... my answer

He has a bath daily... back off!!!