I just can’t figure it out. I have always thought I would just let my husband decide when the time came but I do feel kind of strongly that I don’t want to have my son circumcised. Is it genital mutilation? It’s definitely not a health issue because as woman, we can understand how easy it is to maintain personal hygiene when dealing with skin folds.... just clean it! But to have my son look different than his dad? Is that confusing? Is the rate of circumcision really decreasing? Globally.... circumcised penises are the minority. Nationally (US based) they are not. Is it making a body modification choice for someone who can not yet speak for them self?
I'm from California. My son is 14 months and we had him circumcised. My husband and I both felt very strongly about it. A lot of men in my family have had to get them done later in life due to reoccurring infections. My grandpa at 40. An uncle in his 20s. And my cousin who has autism had to get it done at 6. Any man that I have talked to who is not circumcised wished that their parents would have done it when they were younger. But not one man that I know that has been circumcised wishes that they weren't. I worked at a preschool for kids with special needs. And one of my students had an infection, I was changing his diaper and it was one of the most awful things I had ever seen working there.
My son was pissed sure, but he was pissed that he was naked and it was cold. They applied a numbing gel beforehand and then numbing injections after awhile. I was in the room the whole time and my husband actually held our son's hand. I'm pregnant with a girl this time around, but if she were a boy, there would be no hesitation.
that’s generally how I feel. I’m a very natural type of person and I feel like is causes a discord with my beliefs. May I ask where you are from? I’m from Wisconsin specifically, and I feel that in the Midwest circumcision is fairly prevalent... not that following the heard is entirely important.
We circumcised our son and wouldn’t have any other way. Genital mutilation? I don’t think so. Especially because there is risk for infection and honestly, he won’t remember it happening. Likely, later in life he will want to be circumcised which would be much more painful and traumatic. It’s all personal opinion though, so do what you feel is right for your baby.
that is a really interesting perspective. I only know for sure of one adult who is uncircumcised and I cannot just text him and ask him his opinion 😂. However, I’m considering a Facebook poll lol. I also have never heard of a man saying that he wish he was uncircumcised, but have read in my research a few that were very happy they were not.
I’m not I can agree that it is likely they will wish they were. But that’s what I’m trying to figure out. I do know it is happening less often. With the kids I work with... I know several of them are not circumcised. Our children are facing a generation where they will not be the only one in class uncircumcised. Where are you from? I know the occurrence is something that varies by location.
Only you have the answer to what’s right for you and your son. It’s such a personal matter and there is no right or wrong answer.
I’m from the UK and recently moved to the US. So until I moved here, circumcision is pretty much unheard of! As for infections, I don’t believe in that at all. Like you said, we have more flaps and folds down there than men so as long as they know how to clean it, it’s not gonna be an issue! I have never met a man with an infection due to his penis being uncircumcised!
We’re not finding out the gender of our baby but if it’s a boy, I’m definitely leaving it’s bits intact!
thank you! I really think it’s another weird thing about the US! We make things much more complicated than necessary. Lol I am also not finding out the gender (at this point... might change my mind!) and I’m starting to hope it’s a girl just to avoid this! One of the first of many dilemmas we will face as mamas. I’m also strongly considering a birth center that does not do circumcisions. I would have to go elsewhere to have it done.
I’m confused by what you are saying. Are you implying that Christians don’t circumcise? I have only met one (although I could assume his brothers were also) uncircumcised Christian personally. I grew up catholic (although I left the church in my teens) in a heavily Italian/Hispanic catholic community. Circumcision is a popular choice in my area. From my research, less than 10% of the global population is circumcised. I’m really interested in other perspectives so I would love to understand your statement better.
For us, we’ll have our baby circumcised if he’s a boy.. and for a lot of the reasons noted here in some responses: He would look like my husband, it does look better - in my opinion - I’ve seen it both first hand in babies through toddlers working in childcare, cleanliness, and just general “locker-room” going’s on (not getting teased). I’m sure it’s the general norm for the USA, so since that’s where we live we’re going to go ahead with it. We’ve honestly not considered not having it done. Which, on the other hand, I’ve always felt the same way with getting little girl’s ears pierced as babies, or before they could voice an opinion? So, I can see where the opinions come from with choosing no circumcision, so I’d say just do what’s best for your baby and your family.
I think that maybe the lack of information is why Americans have a problem with infections? Perhaps if it were more common boys would feel more comfortable recognizing problems when they arise and instead they are ignoring the infection until it is too late? Thank you for your input! I’m feeling more and more confident with my thoughts. I will need to talk about it further with my husband because I do value his opinion as a circumcised male in America.
Those are all valid reasonings. They are the things I am keeping in mind when considering having it done. I would absolutely never have my infants ears pierced, as I would not make that choice for them.... but it’s something that is truly cosmetic. The history of circumcision has been mentioned in my conversations with friends and definitely something I will be looking into. Why is that we started doing it? I am an over thinker so naturally I’m currently obsessed with this topic.
If we have a son we will not circumcise him. We are from California and my husband isn’t circumcised. I think it can cause sexual disfunction later in life. In Circumcision you are removing the protection of the most sensitive part of the penis. I know that might be uncomfortable to think about your future son having sex but it’s important. If their penis is exposed their entire life it’ll lose sensitivity. My husband has never had any issues with his penis being uncircumcised. Also, I have never had a sexual partner that was circumcised. As long as you make sure your son properly cleans his penis, they shouldn’t have any problems.