I left the decision up to my husband the first time. This baby will also be circumcised. I'm a bit older this time so I was on the fence about the decision with this baby. My husband is circumcised but his brother is not. When I was questioning the decision we talked with his brother who was adamant that we should get it done. He wishes his would have been taken care of as a child. This really is a personal decision best left up to the parents.
We have chosen not to circumsize our son. I have read studies that say there are nerves in the foreskin that would enhance their sex life. The risk really do out weigh the benefits. I think this is a personal choice that we didn't take lightly. My only advice do research... Be educated.
The site actually says: "The reason for the lower risk in circumcised men is not entirely clear, but it may be related to other known risk factors."
Meaning that it couple be related to something completely different as seen in many studies. There has not been any studies showing a causation effect, meaning there no cause and effect relationship between the two.
I only point this out because i encourage the OP and anyone trying to make this decision to read beyond websites and look at actual studies in order to make an informed decision. It's a very personal decision in the end.
My own personal opinion and experience after doing my own reading and learning about it is that it is not medically necessary and when it comes to any procedures that hurt my baby I'm a total wimp
The site actually says: "The reason for the lower risk in circumcised men is not entirely clear, but it may be related to other known risk factors."
Meaning that it couple be related to something completely different as seen in many studies. There has not been any studies showing a causation effect, meaning there no cause and effect relationship between the two.
I only point this out because i encourage the OP and anyone trying to make this decision to read beyond websites and look at actual studies in order to make an informed decision. It's a very personal decision in the end.
My own personal opinion and experience after doing my own reading and learning about it is that it is not medically necessary and when it comes to any procedures that hurt my baby I'm a total wimp
Good luck on your research!
Just because a study shows correlation as opposed to causation does not make it completely clinically insignificant. There is no direct causal link between obesity and diabetes(as well as cancers)- there is correlation though. Do you not recommend your obese patients lose weight? While I definitely don't think the studies that show correlation should be the sole factor in deciding whether or not to circumcise, they are still valuable in the decision making process for parents who may be undecided.
I'm impressed with how civil this conversation has gone! Good job ladies!
We're team pink so this isn't a decision we've had to make. My husband is not circumcised but says he wishes he had been as an infant. There's also history on my side of the family of men needing to be done later in life so we are leaning towards circumcision if we ever have a boy but will have a real in depth conversation about it if that day ever comes.
@EMLarie my doctor suggested we wait to have it done since he was a premie. They didn't want to do it at the hospital. So we went to a pediatric urologist. He did the procedure in his office.
I can only speak of my experience working in a hospital and caring for patients but, I find hygiene is easier with a man who is circumcised. Catheters are easier and condom catheters as well. Just food for thought of when they are older.
I am glad you posted this @hornet7. I am a FTM and having a baby boy. To be quite honest, this topic had not even yet crossed my mind, and I am embarrassed to admit that. I read this thread and immediately asked the boyfriend and father his thoughts. He said without hesitation that we need to get the baby circumsized, and since he has the penis, I am happy to follow along with that decision. Good luck to you!
Also wanted to add... I think having a penis absolutely makes a man more qualified to make this decision. I am a very strong independent woman, and while I am perfectly capable of making the decision to circumsize my son or not, I feel more comfortable leaving the decision in the hands of the sex the decision affects most.
My husband and I discussed it before we were even considering starting our family. The conversation brought on by my best friend sharing the shock and horror she had when she discovered the guy she was hooking up with was uncut. Among the people we know it is basically the norm, so we would much rather have him circumsized than having him feel self conscious about it. Because truth be told, a lot of women where we are from are quite put off by an uncircumcised penis. So for us, it's not about possible health benefits, but asthetics, as shallow and vain as that may sound.
My husband and I discussed it before we were even considering starting our family. The conversation brought on by my best friend sharing the shock and horror she had when she discovered the guy she was hooking up with was uncut. Among the people we know it is basically the norm, so we would much rather have him circumsized than having him feel self conscious about it. Because truth be told, a lot of women where we are from are quite put off by an uncircumcised penis. So for us, it's not about possible health benefits, but asthetics, as shallow and vain as that may sound.
The CDC data, reported by the New York Times, showed that the incidence of circumcision declined from 56 percent in 2006 to 32.5 percent in 2009. According to these statistics, non-circumcision or genital integrity has become the normal condition among newborn boys in the United States. Something to consider with your reasoning.
My husband and I discussed it before we were even considering starting our family. The conversation brought on by my best friend sharing the shock and horror she had when she discovered the guy she was hooking up with was uncut. Among the people we know it is basically the norm, so we would much rather have him circumsized than having him feel self conscious about it. Because truth be told, a lot of women where we are from are quite put off by an uncircumcised penis. So for us, it's not about possible health benefits, but asthetics, as shallow and vain as that may sound.
The CDC data, reported by the New York Times, showed that the incidence of circumcision declined from 56 percent in 2006 to 32.5 percent in 2009. According to these statistics, non-circumcision or genital integrity has become the normal condition among newborn boys in the United States. Something to consider with your reasoning.
That is the nation wide statistics. If you look into regional statistics it can vary a great deal. I know in my area the stats for circ. are about 75%. While the national average is much lower.
Formerly known as Kate08young August '18 Siggy April Showers:
Me: 28 H: 24 Married: 7/22/14 Baby L: 8/4/2015 August 2015 Moms Baby E: 11/18/2016 December 2016 Moms TTC #3 08/2017 BFP 11/27/2017. Twin B lost 11/22/2017, Twin A doing well.
As a nurse, I feel like I need to chime in. I've seen a lot of unpleasant and painful issues regarding uncircumcised penises. Issues they've had to be hospitalized for. It may not affect them until they're older but it's worth thinking about. If I were having a boy, it wouldn't even be a consideration to not have him circumcised. That's just from my many personal experiences with the issues I've seen. And I've also never in my life met a man who remembers or was upset with his parents for having him circumcised.
My husband and I discussed it before we were even considering starting our family. The conversation brought on by my best friend sharing the shock and horror she had when she discovered the guy she was hooking up with was uncut. Among the people we know it is basically the norm, so we would much rather have him circumsized than having him feel self conscious about it. Because truth be told, a lot of women where we are from are quite put off by an uncircumcised penis. So for us, it's not about possible health benefits, but asthetics, as shallow and vain as that may sound.
The CDC data, reported by the New York Times, showed that the incidence of circumcision declined from 56 percent in 2006 to 32.5 percent in 2009. According to these statistics, non-circumcision or genital integrity has become the normal condition among newborn boys in the United States. Something to consider with your reasoning.
That is the nation wide statistics. If you look into regional statistics it can vary a great deal. I know in my area the stats for circ. are about 75%.
While the national average is much lower.
the statistics are certainly higher in some areas but nationally there has been a steep decline. I suppose it may be the norm in some regions but it certainly isn't worldwide nor is it nationwide. I don't think the argument for vanity or aesthetics necessarily supports circumcision. I would expect one would look outside their own state or general area.
anyways - good luck with the decision each of you make.
My husband and I discussed it before we were even considering starting our family. The conversation brought on by my best friend sharing the shock and horror she had when she discovered the guy she was hooking up with was uncut. Among the people we know it is basically the norm, so we would much rather have him circumsized than having him feel self conscious about it. Because truth be told, a lot of women where we are from are quite put off by an uncircumcised penis. So for us, it's not about possible health benefits, but asthetics, as shallow and vain as that may sound.
The CDC data, reported by the New York Times, showed that the incidence of circumcision declined from 56 percent in 2006 to 32.5 percent in 2009. According to these statistics, non-circumcision or genital integrity has become the normal condition among newborn boys in the United States. Something to consider with your reasoning.
That is the nation wide statistics. If you look into regional statistics it can vary a great deal. I know in my area the stats for circ. are about 75%. While the national average is much lower.
the statistics are certainly higher in some areas but nationally there has been a steep decline. I suppose it may be the norm in some regions but it certainly isn't worldwide nor is it nationwide. I don't think the argument for vanity or aesthetics necessarily supports circumcision. I would expect one would look outside their own state or general area.
anyways - good luck with the decision each of you make.
But at the end of the day, even if it's not so common in other regions, that to me is not as important as the community he will be growing up in. All of my friends who have had boys have had them circumsized, and all of the little boys (still in diapers) that I have babysat for have been circumsized. This to me seems like it is pretty dang common among the children who will be his peers growing up.
And I mean sure, there's also the health argument reasoning that I've tossed around in my head as well, though it holds less weight just because of the controversy surrounding whether or not the benefits are what they're chocked up to be. Either way, I know it's an incredibly unpleasant procedure to have done if you wait and let them get it done later in life if they so choose or it becomes medically necessary.
For me, it just makes more sense to have it done, but I can completely understand why others may choose not to.
First of all, the cancer idea is ridiculous; like someone said, correlation does not necessarily mean causation. Secondly, my obgyn said it is considered a cosmetic procedure nowadays which makes complete sense to me. Lastly, I find it bizarre that no one has brought up the fact of oversnipping. If the doctor were to mess up and cut a bit extra that could likely lead to a micropenis or worse; it happens and more often then you'd think. Personally, I would feel beyond responsible for my son being micro or maybe even having to go through transitional surgery just because I wanted him to be "normal" or "clean". Think about it.
My H and I did it with our first son. My H is a nurse and knows it's not a medically necessary procedure to be done but he didn't want to have his son feel some way about not "looking like daddy" so we went for it. My little guy is very curious now and H has to show him a lot that I cannot do...it worked out well for us. I just let H make the decision...I really didn't mind one way or the other. Now that we have Boy #2 on the way we will be doing the same thing again
As a nurse, I feel like I need to chime in. I've seen a lot of unpleasant and painful issues regarding uncircumcised penises. Issues they've had to be hospitalized for. It may not affect them until they're older but it's worth thinking about. If I were having a boy, it wouldn't even be a consideration to not have him circumcised. That's just from my many personal experiences with the issues I've seen. And I've also never in my life met a man who remembers or was upset with his parents for having him circumcised.
I believe this comes down to males not being taught proper hygiene in countries/areas where circumcisions is the norm. In the UK, less that 9% of males are circumcised yet hospitals are not overrun with issues because of it. Because it is so common for a man to have a foreskin, parents teach their children proper hygeine.
In Germany in 2012, a court ruled that circumcision of minors was harmful and a violation of the child's human rights. In 2010, the Royal Dutch Medical Association, stated that circumcision of boys "conflicts with a child's right to autonomy and physical integrity". And in Norway, MP's are considering a minimum age limit of 18 for the procedure, like other cosmetic medical procedures.
My best friend's husband wasn't circumcised and it caused her lots of UTI's and yeast infections. He got it done later in life and it was horrible, and I use to work for the pediatrician we see now and my other friend is his nurse. She told me he does the procedure in office, and that he is one of the best sometimes the baby boys don't cry and he does numb them. To each's own, but we will be snipping
I apologize if this was already covered in this thread and I missed it. My preg brain gives me many duh moments lately.... have any of you met an uncircumcised man who is glad he was not circumcised?
I apologize if this was already covered in this thread and I missed it. My preg brain gives me many duh moments lately.... have any of you met an uncircumcised man who is glad he was not circumcised?
Yes. And my DH is circumcised and wishes he wasn't.
All of those in favor should watch a video of it being done, since you in fact will be present for this cosmetic surgery.
We have chosen not to change our sons body but will support his right to choose if he wants have the process done later. I think being worried of being "different" is such a crazy reason to do it. Also, to think it's more painful for them to get it done later is just as crazy, it's painful at any age!
I apologize if this was already covered in this thread and I missed it. My preg brain gives me many duh moments lately.... have any of you met an uncircumcised man who is glad he was not circumcised?
Yes. And my DH is circumcised and wishes he wasn't.
Do you mind if I ask why he wishes he wasn't?
I'd just like to get a different perspective since I've never really even seen an uncircumcised penis. I have only ever heard of men who aren't who wish they were and those who are, who are happy they are.
I apologize if this was already covered in this thread and I missed it. My preg brain gives me many duh moments lately.... have any of you met an uncircumcised man who is glad he was not circumcised?
I apologize if this was already covered in this thread and I missed it. My preg brain gives me many duh moments lately.... have any of you met an uncircumcised man who is glad he was not circumcised?
Yes. And my DH is circumcised and wishes he wasn't.
Do you mind if I ask why he wishes he wasn't?
I'd just like to get a different perspective since I've never really even seen an uncircumcised penis. I have only ever heard of men who aren't who wish they were and those who are, who are happy they are.
I know this sounds weird but when there are men that say they wish they had been circumcised I can't quite understand it. Unless they've test driven a circumcised penis how would they ever know it was better? Anyway I have never met a circumcised man so I don't think it's very big where I am so we didn't get it done for our son and if this one is a boy we won't again.
I apologize if this was already covered in this thread and I missed it. My preg brain gives me many duh moments lately.... have any of you met an uncircumcised man who is glad he was not circumcised?
My husband is not circumcised and he's glad he's not. Like PP said, how do they know unless they've test driven a circumcised penis, I don't know. But he is glad he isn't. My husband is Hispanic... No one in his family is circumcised. He has 5 brothers and his second oldest brother decided to get circumcised at like 28 years old. He wishes he didn't do it now. Not only because it was painful but bc there is a loss of pleasure sensation. Honestly... I didn't even know my husband wasn't circumcised until seriously almost a year of dating. Maybe it's just me, but when it's hard you really can't tell and I didn't have much to do with his penis if it was flaccid so I just never noticed lol.
In many African and middle eastern countries and others, women are "circumcised" (female genital mutilation really) and it's to control female sexuality and take the pleasure away from sex. I would not want this done to me or this decision to be made for me. So I will also not be making that decision for my son. I do not think I would feel differently if my husband was circumcised either. If my son wanted to have the procedure done later I would support him and help him find unbiased resources to research and make an informed decision. This is a very sensitive topic though and to each their own!
All of those in favor should watch a video of it being done, since you in fact will be present for this cosmetic surgery.
We have chosen not to change our sons body but will support his right to choose if he wants have the process done later. I think being worried of being "different" is such a crazy reason to do it. Also, to think it's more painful for them to get it done later is just as crazy, it's painful at any age!
Most parents are not present for the procedure. I don't know any parent that was present during it to be honest.
Also, this may just be my opinion, but using words like "crazy" can come off as judgmental. This can be a touchy subject and using words like that can make things escalate.
I apologize if this was already covered in this thread and I missed it. My preg brain gives me many duh moments lately.... have any of you met an uncircumcised man who is glad he was not circumcised?
My husband is not circumcised and he's glad he's not. Like PP said, how do they know unless they've test driven a circumcised penis, I don't know. But he is glad he isn't. My husband is Hispanic... No one in his family is circumcised. He has 5 brothers and his second oldest brother decided to get circumcised at like 28 years old. He wishes he didn't do it now. Not only because it was painful but bc there is a loss of pleasure sensation. Honestly... I didn't even know my husband wasn't circumcised until seriously almost a year of dating. Maybe it's just me, but when it's hard you really can't tell and I didn't have much to do with his penis if it was flaccid so I just never noticed lol.
In many African and middle eastern countries and others, women are "circumcised" (female genital mutilation really) and it's to control female sexuality and take the pleasure away from sex. I would not want this done to me or this decision to be made for me. So I will also not be making that decision for my son. I do not think I would feel differently if my husband was circumcised either. If my son wanted to have the procedure done later I would support him and help him find unbiased resources to research and make an informed decision. This is a very sensitive topic though and to each their own!
Edited for typo
My husband isn't either and he's Hispanic.. Im wondering if it's a cultural thing.. I'm still leaving the decision to him because I don't have the parts to say yes or no in this.. He decided today that we won't have our son circumcised and I'm ok with his decision because like I said in my last comment I made.. I don't have a penis.. I don't want to make a decision about something my son has to live with for the rest of his life.. When I personally don't know what it's like..
All of those in favor should watch a video of it being done, since you in fact will be present for this cosmetic surgery.
We have chosen not to change our sons body but will support his right to choose if he wants have the process done later. I think being worried of being "different" is such a crazy reason to do it. Also, to think it's more painful for them to get it done later is just as crazy, it's painful at any age!
Most parents are not present for the procedure. I don't know any parent that was present during it to be honest.
Also, this may just be my opinion, but using words like "crazy" can come off as judgmental. This can be a touchy subject and using words like that can make things escalate.
You're right.. That wasn't the right way to say it. I'm sorry. I couldn't think of a better way to explain it but it wasn't meant to be rude, more just not a reason I couldn't understand? Idk.. Either way, I didn't mean to offend. Every mom I know that has had a son and had it done was required to be there. I didn't know it was optional to leave them by themselves for that. Possibly it's just the area you live?
My husband is the result of an unsuccessful circumcision. Personally as his wife I am glad he is not. For one thing he is very clean because of it, second the sex is better. My first husband was cut and there is a big difference. Not that we want to think of our sons in that way, but in case you were curious the sex is indeed diffrent.
I have 3 boys and none of them are cut. I agree that it is not necessary and when our pediatrician asked us in the hospital he was actually glad that we had chosen not to. He agrees that it is not necessary and wishes more parents would chose not to. I think every health professional is going to have a different opinion. that is why we often ask for more opinions when it comes to health questions.
I think it is something that is becoming more and more common for it not to be done in the US. Most of my sons cousins on both sides of the family are also not cut. When I had my first son I asked my husbands opinion and even though his oldest 2 boys are cut (because it was the "thing" to do in the 90's and everyone was doing it) He was all for them being natural which I agreed on. I have also heard if you have state insurance that they are no longer covering it because it is seen as cosmetic.
I am not worried about my boys in the locker room when they are older, I am sure there will be plenty of both cut and uncut boys. I would rather teach my boys to take pride in their body than to be ashamed of whether or not their penis is cut. AND if they are embarrassed to show it to a girl when they are a teenager, well I have NO problem with that!
Just to add, I have never had an infection because of my husband not being cut! I had more UTI's and yeast infections when I was with my first husband who was cut then with my husband now who isn't. Not sure why but I don't think it has to do with the penis being cut or not.
Now, as I've mentioned before we will be having our son circumcised. But, I just don't understand the argument of "we want him to look like his dad." To me that's kind of like getting your newborn daughter breast implants so that she won't have to wonder why mommy has boobs and she doesn't. There are so many things that look different between two people, even father and son, that I can't imagine a different looking penis would be the end of the world to a kid.
I've seen a couple of nurses here advocate circumcision for medical reasons. I'm a nurse, too and I can tell you... it's not that hard to pull back to clean. I wouldn't factor in the fact that there's a small chance that he might need a condom catheter in the future into my decision as one user suggested. I don't see a lot of intact penis related medical issues.
I respect individuals' right to choose what they feel is best for their children, and don't feel the need to judge anyone else's opinions on the subject. Any statements I make are simply my opinions- I realize and respect that not everyone shares them, and that's cool. That being said, we have opted to not circumcise our baby, should he turn out to be a boy.
After much research, we do not feel the "reasons" offered to justify circumcision were at all persuasive. While cleanliness may be a factor in some areas which do not have regular access to hygienic facilities, daily showers, etc., I don't believe this applies to modern society. We plan to teach our children (male or female) how to properly wash, and trust that they will be able to do so. As to the supposed cancer correlation- obviously, cutting off any body part reduces/eliminates the risk of cancer to that body part. I don't believe there is a causal effect, and don't feel any possible pros justify any of the many risks (though such risks may be statistically small, so are the supposed "pros"). Additionally, I don't want one of my baby's first experiences in life to be being strapped to a table and surgically altered. He/she will be born as nature intended, and we plan to keep him/her that way. The foreskin has many benefits, which people seem to glance over (protection of the glans, increased sensitivity, etc.).
My husband is circumcised, and wishes he was not. The US is one of the only countries where this has been popular for aesthetic reasons, and it is declining here, as people stop to question the practice.
*Edited - pregnancy brain.
Fur daughter: 02/2011 Human sons: 11/2015 & 05/2017 *formerly kayemjay*
I apologize if this was already covered in this thread and I missed it. My preg brain gives me many duh moments lately.... have any of you met an uncircumcised man who is glad he was not circumcised?
My husband is not circumcised and he's glad he's not. Like PP said, how do they know unless they've test driven a circumcised penis, I don't know. But he is glad he isn't. My husband is Hispanic... No one in his family is circumcised. He has 5 brothers and his second oldest brother decided to get circumcised at like 28 years old. He wishes he didn't do it now. Not only because it was painful but bc there is a loss of pleasure sensation. Honestly... I didn't even know my husband wasn't circumcised until seriously almost a year of dating. Maybe it's just me, but when it's hard you really can't tell and I didn't have much to do with his penis if it was flaccid so I just never noticed lol.
In many African and middle eastern countries and others, women are "circumcised" (female genital mutilation really) and it's to control female sexuality and take the pleasure away from sex. I would not want this done to me or this decision to be made for me. So I will also not be making that decision for my son. I do not think I would feel differently if my husband was circumcised either. If my son wanted to have the procedure done later I would support him and help him find unbiased resources to research and make an informed decision. This is a very sensitive topic though and to each their own!
Edited for typo
I'm going to give a guess about your stance on infant ear piercing too...
There's a difference between infant male circumcision and third world female genital mutation though. Now the difference may not be that both could be argued as unnecessary, but when discussing valid reasons for or against having your infant male son circumcised after birth, you're really just playing to shock and awe to bring up a frequently barbaric oppressive practice.
I apologize if this was already covered in this thread and I missed it. My preg brain gives me many duh moments lately.... have any of you met an uncircumcised man who is glad he was not circumcised?
My husband is not circumcised and he's glad he's not. Like PP said, how do they know unless they've test driven a circumcised penis, I don't know. But he is glad he isn't. My husband is Hispanic... No one in his family is circumcised. He has 5 brothers and his second oldest brother decided to get circumcised at like 28 years old. He wishes he didn't do it now. Not only because it was painful but bc there is a loss of pleasure sensation. Honestly... I didn't even know my husband wasn't circumcised until seriously almost a year of dating. Maybe it's just me, but when it's hard you really can't tell and I didn't have much to do with his penis if it was flaccid so I just never noticed lol.
In many African and middle eastern countries and others, women are "circumcised" (female genital mutilation really) and it's to control female sexuality and take the pleasure away from sex. I would not want this done to me or this decision to be made for me. So I will also not be making that decision for my son. I do not think I would feel differently if my husband was circumcised either. If my son wanted to have the procedure done later I would support him and help him find unbiased resources to research and make an informed decision. This is a very sensitive topic though and to each their own!
Edited for typo
I'm going to give a guess about your stance on infant ear piercing too...
There's a difference between infant male circumcision and third world female genital mutation though. Now the difference may not be that both could be argued as unnecessary, but when discussing valid reasons for or against having your infant male son circumcised after birth, you're really just playing to shock and awe to bring up a frequently barbaric oppressive practice.
I apologize if this was already covered in this thread and I missed it. My preg brain gives me many duh moments lately.... have any of you met an uncircumcised man who is glad he was not circumcised?
My husband is not circumcised and he's glad he's not. Like PP said, how do they know unless they've test driven a circumcised penis, I don't know. But he is glad he isn't. My husband is Hispanic... No one in his family is circumcised. He has 5 brothers and his second oldest brother decided to get circumcised at like 28 years old. He wishes he didn't do it now. Not only because it was painful but bc there is a loss of pleasure sensation.
Honestly... I didn't even know my husband wasn't circumcised until seriously almost a year of dating. Maybe it's just me, but when it's hard you really can't tell and I didn't have much to do with his penis if it was flaccid so I just never noticed lol.
In many African and middle eastern countries and others, women are "circumcised" (female genital mutilation really) and it's to control female sexuality and take the pleasure away from sex. I would not want this done to me or this decision to be made for me. So I will also not be making that decision for my son. I do not think I would feel differently if my husband was circumcised either. If my son wanted to have the procedure done later I would support him and help him find unbiased resources to research and make an informed decision. This is a very sensitive topic though and to each their own!
Edited for typo
I'm going to give a guess about your stance on infant ear piercing too...
There's a difference between infant male circumcision and third world female genital mutation though. Now the difference may not be that both could be argued as unnecessary, but when discussing valid reasons for or against having your infant male son circumcised after birth, you're really just playing to shock and awe to bring up a frequently barbaric oppressive practice.
I think you missed her point
While I get that her point was that these decisions are the child's to make in the future, and that the decision should not be taken from a person at birth, I agree with @pink*sheep that mentioning female genital mutilation (which is entirely different and unjustifiable) was unnecessary and unproductive. People who choose to circumcise their sons are in no way comparable to people who choose to mutilate their daughters.
Fur daughter: 02/2011 Human sons: 11/2015 & 05/2017 *formerly kayemjay*
Re: Circumcision or Not?
We're team pink so this isn't a decision we've had to make. My husband is not circumcised but says he wishes he had been as an infant. There's also history on my side of the family of men needing to be done later in life so we are leaning towards circumcision if we ever have a boy but will have a real in depth conversation about it if that day ever comes.
I can only speak of my experience working in a hospital and caring for patients but, I find hygiene is easier with a man who is circumcised. Catheters are easier and condom catheters as well. Just food for thought of when they are older.
That is the nation wide statistics. If you look into regional statistics it can vary a great deal. I know in my area the stats for circ. are about 75%.
While the national average is much lower.
Formerly known as Kate08young
August '18 Siggy April Showers:
Married: 7/22/14
Baby L: 8/4/2015 August 2015 Moms
Baby E: 11/18/2016 December 2016 Moms
TTC #3 08/2017 BFP 11/27/2017.
Twin B lost 11/22/2017, Twin A doing well.
While the national average is much lower.
But at the end of the day, even if it's not so common in other regions, that to me is not as important as the community he will be growing up in. All of my friends who have had boys have had them circumsized, and all of the little boys (still in diapers) that I have babysat for have been circumsized. This to me seems like it is pretty dang common among the children who will be his peers growing up.
And I mean sure, there's also the health argument reasoning that I've tossed around in my head as well, though it holds less weight just because of the controversy surrounding whether or not the benefits are what they're chocked up to be. Either way, I know it's an incredibly unpleasant procedure to have done if you wait and let them get it done later in life if they so choose or it becomes medically necessary.
For me, it just makes more sense to have it done, but I can completely understand why others may choose not to.
In Germany in 2012, a court ruled that circumcision of minors was harmful and a violation of the child's human rights. In 2010, the Royal Dutch Medical Association, stated that circumcision of boys "conflicts with a child's right to autonomy and physical integrity". And in Norway, MP's are considering a minimum age limit of 18 for the procedure, like other cosmetic medical procedures.
We have chosen not to change our sons body but will support his right to choose if he wants have the process done later. I think being worried of being "different" is such a crazy reason to do it. Also, to think it's more painful for them to get it done later is just as crazy, it's painful at any age!
I'd just like to get a different perspective since I've never really even seen an uncircumcised penis. I have only ever heard of men who aren't who wish they were and those who are, who are happy they are.
Honestly... I didn't even know my husband wasn't circumcised until seriously almost a year of dating. Maybe it's just me, but when it's hard you really can't tell and I didn't have much to do with his penis if it was flaccid so I just never noticed lol.
In many African and middle eastern countries and others, women are "circumcised" (female genital mutilation really) and it's to control female sexuality and take the pleasure away from sex. I would not want this done to me or this decision to be made for me. So I will also not be making that decision for my son. I do not think I would feel differently if my husband was circumcised either. If my son wanted to have the procedure done later I would support him and help him find unbiased resources to research and make an informed decision. This is a very sensitive topic though and to each their own!
Edited for typo
Baby Boy born on 1/14/13
My husband isn't either and he's Hispanic.. Im wondering if it's a cultural thing.. I'm still leaving the decision to him because I don't have the parts to say yes or no in this.. He decided today that we won't have our son circumcised and I'm ok with his decision because like I said in my last comment I made.. I don't have a penis.. I don't want to make a decision about something my son has to live with for the rest of his life.. When I personally don't know what it's like..
You're right.. That wasn't the right way to say it. I'm sorry. I couldn't think of a better way to explain it but it wasn't meant to be rude, more just not a reason I couldn't understand? Idk.. Either way, I didn't mean to offend. Every mom I know that has had a son and had it done was required to be there. I didn't know it was optional to leave them by themselves for that. Possibly it's just the area you live?
I have 3 boys and none of them are cut. I agree that it is not necessary and when our pediatrician asked us in the hospital he was actually glad that we had chosen not to. He agrees that it is not necessary and wishes more parents would chose not to. I think every health professional is going to have a different opinion. that is why we often ask for more opinions when it comes to health questions.
I think it is something that is becoming more and more common for it not to be done in the US. Most of my sons cousins on both sides of the family are also not cut. When I had my first son I asked my husbands opinion and even though his oldest 2 boys are cut (because it was the "thing" to do in the 90's and everyone was doing it) He was all for them being natural which I agreed on. I have also heard if you have state insurance that they are no longer covering it because it is seen as cosmetic.
I am not worried about my boys in the locker room when they are older, I am sure there will be plenty of both cut and uncut boys. I would rather teach my boys to take pride in their body than to be ashamed of whether or not their penis is cut. AND if they are embarrassed to show it to a girl when they are a teenager, well I have NO problem with that!
Human sons: 11/2015 & 05/2017
*formerly kayemjay*
There's a difference between infant male circumcision and third world female genital mutation though. Now the difference may not be that both could be argued as unnecessary, but when discussing valid reasons for or against having your infant male son circumcised after birth, you're really just playing to shock and awe to bring up a frequently barbaric oppressive practice.
Human sons: 11/2015 & 05/2017
*formerly kayemjay*