How Common is Circumcision?

AngieW1979

So how common is circumcision in the Bay Area and Northern California in general?

Reason I ask is last night I SIL (who generally lacks any tact, manners, and she has no children) was at a family function and said "No one has their kids circumcises in the Bay Area anymore and its been that way for years" and "Only rednecks still mutilate thier kids".  I certainly don't think she is correct, but her statement had me wondering just how common it is here.  My DS is and I really cannot beleive she would say that in mixed company.

So is it still at least somewhat common here?

 

[Poll]

skirby

I don't have a son, but my friend just had a boy and delivered in SF. She was surprised that no one even asked her at the hospital about circumcision. She and her husband opted not to do it, but assumed the hospital would ask. I'm not sure if it's like this everywhere, but it seems the hospital has a policy of not asking unless you bring it up.

My dad is a urologist, and has seen a decrease in circumcision, though it is certainly still done. 

m&m818

When my daughter was a newborn we were in a playgroup with about 7 other babies, all boys. 2 were circumcised 4 were not. I'd say your SIL was accurate about the general perception in the bay area but its not something that isn't still done. 

AngieW1979

Hmm...Interesting results so far.  The comments seem to indicate that its not all that common anymore, but the poll results say that 88.9% are.  Small sample size, but still interesting.

 I wonder if there is variance between different regions in the Bay Area or among different socio-economic groups.

EmmieB

Our pediatrician (part of PAMF) said that about 20% of the boys in her practicer are circumcised. So it's not "nobody" but from what I've encountered (including what my pedi said) it's on the decline. 

She also said that the general feeling among the parents choosing not to is that their boys can always choose to do it later, but you can't put it back once it's gone. So there's that... 

 

ETA - we're in SJ. My cousin is in Seattle and her son is not circ'd. 

kittylove

My son's old pedi at Kaiser said it was around 40% of his patients were, but our new pedi says in her group it is closer to 70%.

AngieW1979

Seems like everyone's experience is all over the spectrum.

 Does it vary by region within the Bay Area and Norcal (ie indivudal city or couty)?  Seems like quite  a large varriance between pediatric groups.

So I guess this mightbe a better question to ask:  What is the status of your LO and where do you live?  I am sarting to think the answer to that question is probably just as inconsistent.

amyfelice

It's on the decline, but my guess is about half are still doing it(especially Muslims and Jews). the American Academy of Pediatrics doesn't recommend for or against it, basically considers it a personal choice, so no significant medical advantage. Many just feel it's an unnecessary procedure for a newborn nowadays. I am Jewish so it would be hard not to and take the flak from my family but DH and i have decided that if we ever have a boy we will not circ him. Or at least it's unlikely, you never know how you will feel with family pressure. 

Lexi & Orion's Mommy

my son is not, and i live in sj 

Celyn

In the last 2 years, only 2 of my clients have circed their sons.  That's less than 10% of the boys.

fjaril

I'm in Belmont and my son is not.

fricksgirl

I live in Sacramento and both my boys are circumcised. 

I think as a very wide generalization yes, circumcision is less common in the Bay Area than say, the Midwest.  I, for one, though, don't believe that it's even 50/50... I think it's still the case that most American boys are circumcised.  (And fantastic is yours aren't, it's just my opinion!)  

SportyMrs.23

I don't have a son but if we did, he would be circumcised.

ETA: I'm in San Jose 

RevJG

We lived on the peninsula and DS is not.  We recently moved out of state and it appears that the majority of boys here ARE (including the 2 sons of my sisters), but I haven't asked that many people about it, so my numbers might be a little off.

fjaril

RevJG:

We lived on the peninsula and DS is not.  We recently moved out of state and it appears that the majority of boys here ARE (including the 2 sons of my sisters), but I haven't asked that many people about it, so my numbers might be a little off.

having just left where you are, it's not the trend anymore. Our pedi office had gone from something like 25-30% when H was born up to nearly 50% when we left. Also just and fyi, it's an uber hot topic on the local board. so while it's def on the rise to not circ, people are super strong feeling one way or the other.

StefandTodd

Sacramento area, DS is not circ'd.

AngieW1979

These results are interesting.  Most of the comments say no, but the overwhelming majority say yes in the poll.

Anyone think it might actually be relatively common, but mothers who opt to have their LO circumcised are just less likely to admit it for fear of being told they are terrible motherrs?

EmmieB

AngieW1979:

These results are interesting.  Most of the comments say no, but the overwhelming majority say yes in the poll.

Anyone think it might actually be relatively common, but mothers who opt to have their LO circumcised are just less likely to admit it for fear of being told they are terrible motherrs?

I think you're on to something. When we were researching it, I came across a well-written article with both sides to the coin (one son uncircumcised and is now a teen and fine, the other uncircumcised but had to be circ'd in elementary school because of an infection, and one circ'd at birth.) I commented about how it was nice to hear both sides without any judgement because we were still researching and then said something about how it's ultimately up to my husband because I do not have a penis. 

Some random internet person wrote the most horrendous attack to me about how the mere fact that we were still on the fence was tantamount to child abuse and on and on. I just remember being 8ish months pregnant and sitting there crying because of what this stranger had said...and we were ultimately in agreement!  

I think that in real life, most parents don't really care if you've circ'd your son or not - but on the internet people feel more free to be asshats, so moms are more hesitant to share.

AngieW1979

EmmieB:

AngieW1979:

These results are interesting.  Most of the comments say no, but the overwhelming majority say yes in the poll.

Anyone think it might actually be relatively common, but mothers who opt to have their LO circumcised are just less likely to admit it for fear of being told they are terrible motherrs?

I think you're on to something. When we were researching it, I came across a well-written article with both sides to the coin (one son uncircumcised and is now a teen and fine, the other uncircumcised but had to be circ'd in elementary school because of an infection, and one circ'd at birth.) I commented about how it was nice to hear both sides without any judgement because we were still researching and then said something about how it's ultimately up to my husband because I do not have a penis. 

Some random internet person wrote the most horrendous attack to me about how the mere fact that we were still on the fence was tantamount to child abuse and on and on. I just remember being 8ish months pregnant and sitting there crying because of what this stranger had said...and we were ultimately in agreement!  

I think that in real life, most parents don't really care if you've circ'd your son or not - but on the internet people feel more free to be asshats, so moms are more hesitant to share.

Wow, sorry a stranger did that to you.  That kinda reminds me what my SIL said on Friday night.  A completely judgmental statement, but she really is just an abrasive personality, so nothing she ever says gets to me (DH is another story, he is constantly telling his brother that he married a "crazy chic"). 

I agree with you that I really don't know of anyone who really cares all that much about what another mother chose for her DS.  It really does seem some people have become very vocal on the subject (particularly the people who are against it) with very emotional arguments that really don't have any basis in reality.  I don't really know of anyone who really thinks that having it done is damaging to the extent that circumcised men cannot enjoy sex.  Conversely, I also don't know anyone who honestly believes that having it done will somehow prevent all disease.

amyfelice

I can't really understand why anyone has anything to say about besides the baby boy's parents! It's just nobody's business. Totally personal decision. 

EmmieB

amyfelice:

I can't really understand why anyone has anything to say about besides the baby boy's parents! It's just nobody's business. Totally personal decision. 

you said it. 

AngieW1979

EmmieB:

amyfelice:

I can't really understand why anyone has anything to say about besides the baby boy's parents! It's just nobody's business. Totally personal decision. 

you said it. 

I totally agree that i is a very personal decision.  It is just sad that there is so much judgement in regards to this decision.

With all the judgmental attitudes out there on this topic, has anyone ever regretted their decision after the fact based on what others have said?

Celyn

I think it became more controversial when the western world sort of "discovered" several years back that female circumcision is practiced in other parts of the world.  But just as with anything else having to do with babies and parenting, people on the internet have strong opinions and the most vocal often seem to be the ones who have the hardest time grasping that they aren't always right.

My.ABC.Life

EmmieB:

AngieW1979:

These results are interesting.  Most of the comments say no, but the overwhelming majority say yes in the poll.

Anyone think it might actually be relatively common, but mothers who opt to have their LO circumcised are just less likely to admit it for fear of being told they are terrible motherrs?

I think you're on to something. When we were researching it, I came across a well-written article with both sides to the coin (one son uncircumcised and is now a teen and fine, the other uncircumcised but had to be circ'd in elementary school because of an infection, and one circ'd at birth.) I commented about how it was nice to hear both sides without any judgement because we were still researching and then said something about how it's ultimately up to my husband because I do not have a penis. 

Some random internet person wrote the most horrendous attack to me about how the mere fact that we were still on the fence was tantamount to child abuse and on and on. I just remember being 8ish months pregnant and sitting there crying because of what this stranger had said...and we were ultimately in agreement!  

I think that in real life, most parents don't really care if you've circ'd your son or not - but on the internet people feel more free to be asshats, so moms are more hesitant to share.

My son is circumcised and while I feel totally comfortable with that decision, I don't like to discuss it on The Bump.  I had one unfortunately situation at a GTG while I was PG where someone flat out said to me "Of course your not circumcising, that's just for aesthetics."  That was enough for me to keep my mouth shut after that. 

EmmieB

My.ABC.Life:

EmmieB:

AngieW1979:

These results are interesting.  Most of the comments say no, but the overwhelming majority say yes in the poll.

Anyone think it might actually be relatively common, but mothers who opt to have their LO circumcised are just less likely to admit it for fear of being told they are terrible motherrs?

I think you're on to something. When we were researching it, I came across a well-written article with both sides to the coin (one son uncircumcised and is now a teen and fine, the other uncircumcised but had to be circ'd in elementary school because of an infection, and one circ'd at birth.) I commented about how it was nice to hear both sides without any judgement because we were still researching and then said something about how it's ultimately up to my husband because I do not have a penis. 

Some random internet person wrote the most horrendous attack to me about how the mere fact that we were still on the fence was tantamount to child abuse and on and on. I just remember being 8ish months pregnant and sitting there crying because of what this stranger had said...and we were ultimately in agreement!  

I think that in real life, most parents don't really care if you've circ'd your son or not - but on the internet people feel more free to be asshats, so moms are more hesitant to share.

My son is circumcised and while I feel totally comfortable with that decision, I don't like to discuss it on The Bump.  I had one unfortunately situation at a GTG while I was PG where someone flat out said to me "Of course your not circumcising, that's just for aesthetics."  That was enough for me to keep my mouth shut after that. 

Clearly that person hadn't seen the multitudes of historical evidence that it's not just "aesthetic" (it's not a magic immunity bullet, but it's not like getting your ears pierced.) I'm sorry they said that to you.

mcunningham

we live in los gatos and our son is circ'd. i find it pretty interesting that there is such a high percentage for non-circ. within my group of friends, i dont know a single boy that isnt.

soon2Bkranz

Both of mine are...in Gilroy

soon2Bkranz

I had a woman come at me once for it when I was warning a friend that ti looks really bad right afterwards and it made me cry. She asked why I did it then...that if its so bad then I was bad for it...etc...She had never met me before but most of the people at the playmate had. The room cleared pretty quickly when I turned around to resound to her LOL