Have we talked about this: Circumcision related

prncsstp

 

https://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/28/sf-could-vote-on-male-circumcision-ban/?hpt=Sbin

So it appears that there are some activists in San Francisco that are trying to force a referendum on banning circumcision during the next election... How do we feel about this?

Personally, I am on the fence... DH and I havent decided if we will circ. our LO - I'm leaning towards prob not, because DH isnt circumcised.

However, I dont know if an all out ban should be put into play, particularly because of the religious reasons that circumcision is performed. But then again, I'm torn on that angle, because if a religion was active in female circumcision, I would be against that....

calgal1683

I believe that it is 100% a decision that the parent should be making for their child. For us DS#1 is and so will DS#2. If you choose not to, then great, no big deal to me. If someone chooses not to it will not effect me in any way.

MustanGTbaby13

A ban? No.

People will still circumsize for religous reasons. However if a parent chooses to circumsize for health or cleanliness, it is likely they haven't done their research.

Pookie's_Girl

I'm curious what they would do in the event of a young boy not washing good enough and getting an infection from it? Would it be unlawful to remove it then? I don't think it's right to outright ban circumcision. It should be left up to the parents. And, if the parents want to leave it up to their son to decide when he gets older, that's fine.

Telly21182

I don't know if we've discussed this, but I have heard about this.  

I personally don't agree with the idea of banning circumcision - it's a personal decision that the parents are making for their child - not the community.  Plus, isn't it a religious experience in some cultures as well (Judaism)?  

We will have our son circumcised.  DH is, and not that's not the only reason why we will, but I could only imagine how hard it would be for a little boy to wonder why his "pee pee" looked different than daddy's. 

MommaA117

we aren't having a son and I don't know if we would or not (I'd discuss with DH) but I totally think it should be the choice of the parents.

MustanGTbaby13

From the research I have done, they won't do a circumcision because of one infection.They would however recommend circumcision if your son were to develop phimosis.

bookkitten

Wow. I hadn't heard about this. It seems like such a personal decision, one that should be left to the parents, not the law. We spoke to our doctor about it and she confirmed that these days it is largely an aesthetic choice, not entirely a matter of hygiene (though she did allow that sometimes later problems lead to a child being circumcized well past infanthood). I wonder if these activists will seek to ban the piercing of a child's ears, too, since that is also an aesthetic choice currently made by parents.

ChristinaMT4

MustanGTbaby13:

However if a parent chooses to circumsize for health or cleanliness, it is likely they haven't done their research.

I respectfully disagree. There is a ton of evidence that support the medical benefits. (see AAP Policy on Circ) For some those benefits outweigh the risks,  for others the benefits are negligible. I personally was anti circ for a long time until I read the studies. Now I'm firmly in the camp of "do what is best for your child." Having a philosophical disagreement over this issue is one thing, I totally get the arguments in favor of letting the child decide when they're old enough, but I can't ignore the science.

cvl105

calgal1683:

I believe that it is 100% a decision that the parent should be making for their child.

 

prncsstp

I agree that I don't judge parents either way in this situation, i dont feel strongly one way or another..

... but to say that its a parent's decision to do what they want for their child... well, I have to play Devil's Advocate:

1. What if parents want to give their female child a circumcision - as is done in some parts of the world for cultural reasons - most of us (including myself) would be up in arms

2. Not to stir this pot - but couldnt the same be said for parents who choose not to vaccinate their kids? Is that not a parent's decision to make for their child (I am planning on vaccinating, so I'm not necessarily defending those who choose not to) - however, I do get that not vaccinating could be a public health risk... so maybe this doesnt apply to this category.

3. Or is male circumcision nothing more than a vanity statement nowadays - like piercing an infants ears? 

folkfemme

This is a tough topic and one that should not be taken lightly. It is important to understand both the pro's and the con's of circumcision. You can only understand these fully by doing your own research. Listening to someone else's opinion doesn't count. 

In my opinion, circumcision is elective cosmetic surgery. I will not and would never choose to have an unnecessary cosmetic procedure done on my newborn.  I don't feel it is the parents choice either. I may get flamed for this, but I am a firm believer that some decisions cannot be made by anyone other than the person they are directly affecting. When our son is old enough to make this decision for himself, we will be supportive with whatever he chooses.

A ban though? I would really have to read into this more to give my true opinion.  

gymnst1013

Absolutely not.  That is ridiculous.  Especially since there would be no religious exemption.  I can't imagine that would ever hold up under Constitutional scrutiny.

It should be up to the parents whether or not to have it done.  And to liken it to female circumcision is also ridiculous - granted I don't know a lot about female circumcision but from what I understand, they are completely different.

SarahKate31

I would be against a ban. I don't think it's the government's place to make this decision.

calgal1683

For those that are saying it is done for vanity reasons, like getting your LO's ears pierced, I completly disagree. Getting your ears pierced you get to show them off, put different ear rings in, and people comment on them. It's not like your DS is going to go around with his penis hanging out of his pants saying "look what I got".

Again, I stand by my original post that it is the parents choice and don't care if you do or don't.

Ashley40705

calgal1683:

I believe that it is 100% a decision that the parent should be making for their child.

Agreed!

denall

Should be elective, and stay elective. If you don't want to, then don't. But if you do, then I do say -- educate yourself and go ahead.  

I will be doing it. However, there are some options to think about... as in, one big option:

WHO IS DOING THE PROCEDURE.

Many people have their OB's do it, which may work just fine. Others have said a pediatrician, but another option is a pediatric urologist. My MIL (who works in the hospital) has had/seen horror stories of OB's who shake so bad during the procedure because they are nervous doing it. Even the nurses hint at to the moms that maybe they should wait on the procedure depending on who is doing it that day. MIL says one of the best people to do it, if you don't mind waiting, is a pediatric urologist. 

For me, I have done my research on my OB... (and many of my friends have had her, and had boys, and everything came out alright) I would say -- if you plan on doing it, get research on your doctor! ALSO find out what way do they do it? There are many methods.  

celiabeth

I would be appalled if that passed.  It is the parents? choice, and yes it is a religious practice.  I was raised Jewish and all Jewish boys are circumcised; we even have a party where we eat deli or bagels and watch it happen. I'm having a girl and don't have to worry about it, but if we were having a boy he would be circumcised, religion or not.  DH isn't Jewish and is circumcised.

folkfemme

I don't want to start anything with this question, but it's something I am very curious about after this post. 

If you chose to circumcise your son, what were the deciding factors in making that decision? Was it for religious reasons? Because you wanted your son to look like his father?

ChristinaMT4

lovelovelovelovelove:

I don't want to start anything with this question, but it's something I am very curious about after this post. 

If you chose to circumcise your son, what were the deciding factors in making that decision? Was it for religious reasons? Because you wanted your son to look like his father?

I haven't decided yet. I believe in the medical benefits, both for the individual and for society, however I'm on the fence about whether or not it's MY decision to make. So, I'm leaning towards letting him decide when he's older.

MustanGTbaby13

ChristinaMT4:

MustanGTbaby13:

However if a parent chooses to circumsize for health or cleanliness, it is likely they haven't done their research.

I respectfully disagree. There is a ton of evidence that support the medical benefits. (see AAP Policy on Circ) For some those benefits outweigh the risks,  for others the benefits are negligible. I personally was anti circ for a long time until I read the studies. Now I'm firmly in the camp of "do what is best for your child." Having a philosophical disagreement over this issue is one thing, I totally get the arguments in favor of letting the child decide when they're old enough, but I can't ignore the science.

It is funny to me that you relay the AAP policy, as that is exactly what I read (as well as the Canadian pediatric society's policy) in order to obtain information on circumcision. Since we are having our baby in Ontario, OHIP will not cover circumcision because "it is not medically necessary" so it would be an out of pocket cost.The data they provide for the possible benefits is is not statistically significant. Additionally, some of the information (like HIV transmission) is based off of data from men in Africa which is likely not transferable to health care systems like those of the US and Canada. Additionally, both the AAP and the CPS unequivically state that circumcision is not in most cases, medically necessary.

In regards to what I said for the health reasons in my original post- I maybe said that out of context. What I mean to say is that some people like my MIL assume if we have a son we will circumcise because "it keeps it cleaner"...which isn't true.  Proper cleaning, health, and hygiene will help a boy-->man keep his penis clean regardless of whether or not he is intact. I do not mean to pass judgement on women who have or will circumcize their son's, it is a decision they have to make. But I would say that the idea that you should do it son looks like father may or may not be "best" as recent statistics have indicated a signifcant decrease in the numbers of circumcisions in the past years.

blainethetrain

I'm getting my baby tattooed at birth so he won't wonder why he's different from his daddy,

gymnst1013

hckygrl909:

I'm getting my baby tattooed at birth so he won't wonder why he's different from his daddy,

*giggle*

I guess I better do that too.

hannahruth32

I agree with everyone about it being a choice. I have known men though that weren't circumcised at birth and had to have it done as adults and it was a much more painful process which required a much longer recovery, time off work etc.  Working in a hospital, I also know that it is more difficult for a man to be catherized if they are not circumcised. Having to help these men bathe, especially when they are older, they had a lot more difficulty washing due to lack of dexterity with age.   Still I agree its a choice but have not regretted my choice in getting my son circumcised at birth. Totally up to the parents and they should not be pushed one way or another but educated as to the benefits of both options.

jboricua

I feel like this should be up to the parents my SO is circumcised and my LO will be circumcised when hes born on the other hand my sister had my nephew 2 months ago and hes not circumcised she ''peels'' his skin back herself and he cries everytime she is in puerto rico which is hot humid climate I cant see me doing this for as long as shes doing it plus its too much TLC that you have to give it the way shes doing it she just now able to ''see his head'' Im having twins this is my first boy and I have 2 older daughters and a household to care of I cant even imagine adding to the list of to dos forever care for an uncircumcised penis which i have no clue how to do or with any kind of infection  I just rather get it done and over with.... my SO uncle did it when he was 18 OUCH!!! I couldnt imagine the pain

blainethetrain

hannahruth32:

I agree with everyone about it being a choice. I have known men though that weren't circumcised at birth and had to have it done as adults and it was a much more painful process which required a much longer recovery, time off work etc.  Working in a hospital, I also know that it is more difficult for a man to be catherized if they are not circumcised. Having to help these men bathe, especially when they are older, they had a lot more difficulty washing due to lack of dexterity with age.   Still I agree its a choice but have not regretted my choice in getting my son circumcised at birth. Totally up to the parents and they should not be pushed one way or another but educated as to the benefits of both options.

How do you know it was more painful as an adult? 

bookkitten

lovelovelovelovelove:

I don't want to start anything with this question, but it's something I am very curious about after this post. 

If you chose to circumcise your son, what were the deciding factors in making that decision? Was it for religious reasons? Because you wanted your son to look like his father?

 

I left the decision up to my husband and he was adamant that we have the Baby circumcised. He didn't have a really good reason, but he's sure it's what he wants, so...

js748899

lovelovelovelovelove:

I don't want to start anything with this question, but it's something I am very curious about after this post. 

If you chose to circumcise your son, what were the deciding factors in making that decision? Was it for religious reasons? Because you wanted your son to look like his father?

MH and myself are both in the medical field and have both seen on adults and older children what can happen to uncirc. children/men..infections, furture surgeries, etc. This is the reason that he will be.

folkfemme

jboricua:

I feel like this should be up to the parents my SO is circumcised and my LO will be circumcised when hes born on the other hand my sister had my nephew 2 months ago and hes not circumcised she ''peels'' his skin back herself and he cries everytime she is in puerto rico which is hot humid climate I cant see me doing this for as long as shes doing it plus its too much TLC that you have to give it the way shes doing it she just now able to ''see his head'' Im having twins this is my first boy and I have 2 older daughters and a household to care of I cant even imagine adding to the list of to dos forever care for an uncircumcised penis which i have no clue how to do or with any kind of infection  I just rather get it done and over with.... my SO uncle did it when he was 18 OUCH!!! I couldnt imagine the pain

Oh my gosh! Tell your sister to STOP pulling back his fore skin!! The fore skin retracts on its own, when it is ready. She is causing serious damage and potential scar tissue to her son's penis by forcing it back so early. 

folkfemme

bookkitten:

lovelovelovelovelove:

I don't want to start anything with this question, but it's something I am very curious about after this post. 

If you chose to circumcise your son, what were the deciding factors in making that decision? Was it for religious reasons? Because you wanted your son to look like his father?

 

I left the decision up to my husband and he was adamant that we have the Baby circumcised. He didn't have a really good reason, but he's sure it's what he wants, so...

Why? I'm sorry to be blunt, but it's your baby too. Don't you want to have a say in big decisions such as this? 

Syncronicity09

I feel that the decision belongs to MH and I and no one else.

hannahruth32

As far as it hurting more as an adult, you remember it. I haven't met kid yet that remembered being circ. as baby.

bookkitten

bookkitten:

I left the decision up to my husband and he was adamant that we have the Baby circumcised. He didn't have a really good reason, but he's sure it's what he wants, so...

lovelovelovelovelove:

Why? I'm sorry to be blunt, but it's your baby too. Don't you want to have a say in big decisions such as this? 

No problem. It is my Baby, too, and I made sure my husband knew my views (i.e., that I see the perceived and potential benefits but that, overall, it seems pretty mean to me). Having said that, he has given more weight to my opinions in most of the decisions surrounding the birth and I felt he really deserved to have his opinion count, too. Plus, I have never actually had a penis, and since he does and does not feel that he has suffered in any way from being circumcised as an infant, he gets the final vote.

 

edited because I (mostly) do know how to spell.