When we found out we were having a boy, the decision about whether or not he would be circumcised didn't cross my mind until my doctor asked me about it.
I Googled circumcision (bad idea) and was completely flooded with information. Whether or not to circumcise a child is widely discussed -- it's an extremely controversial topic.
I read pages of information circulated by parents and professionals who oppose circumcision, but I didn't see as many arguments presented by parents who chose to have their children circumcised, with the exception of those who decided to do it to honor their religious traditions.
So my husband and I talked about it at length, and by our next appointment, we had come to a decision.
We considered the medical benefits and risks. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, circumcision has some health benefits associated with it along with surgical risks, but the procedure is not considered medically essential. We also didn't have strong religious influences to weigh our decision one way or the other.
When we talked about our options, I went back and forth a few times on my decision, but my husband's feelings remained consistent: The men in his family had all been circumcised. He felt it would be strange to have a son whose body looked different than his own. I could respect that. What every other boy looks like in a locker room when he gets to be a teenager didn't impact my decision, but while he's young and learning about his body, I didn't want him to feel different than his own father.
Maybe I would feel strongly one way or the other if I had a penis, but since I don't, I relied heavily on my husband's thoughts and feelings on the matter.
So it came down to this: While it wasn't medically necessary, long term, it wouldn't cause him any harm. Yes, I know it's painful for a baby in the moment, but so are a lot of other things in life. We weighed our feelings about family against any possible medical ramifications and decided to do it.
This is a deeply personal issue and I know many people will not agree. While I don't think anyone who chooses not to circumcise is making the wrong decision, I think the criticism that is meant for parents who do make this choice is over the top.
How do you feel about circumcision? Did you choose to circumcise your baby boy? Why or why not?
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Comments 150
I'd love your opinion on our decision to opt for a Prince Albert piercing and a tattoo for our baby boy. What do you think?
Circumcision deaths:
http://www.drmomma.org/2010/05/death-from-circumcision.html
Circumcision disrupts breastfeeding:
http://www.circumstitions.com/Nursing.html
Penis amputations due to circ:
http://www.cirp.org/library/complications/gluckman/
Great website:
http://www.circumstitions.com/Itsaboy.html
Anyone who says that there are no risks, deaths, infections, hemorrhage, pain, trauma, etc. are ignorant about the issue. Anyone that wonders why some make a big deal out of it....well we love babies and want what is best for them.
Compassion is not a fault.
wife2ali, Christians in the US are doing it in the name of The Bible, which is totally bogus as The Bible speaks out against it.
ethans_momma, just for you:
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For those saying it's a "personal choice "- It is. It's a personal choice to be made by the owner of that penis! I don't want others making irreversible decisions regarding my body so why would I choose that fate for my child?
I've heard from plenty of men that are beyond angry that their choice was taken away from them. Why would you want to do that to your child? Especially something that is not medically necessary.
Circumcision is extremely painful for infants, watch a few videos of a child being circumcised and then tell me it's not. Most circumcisions parents do not see do not involve any form of anesthesia, no local, nothing. Why? Because the tissue has to be kept in ideal condition to sell. Disgusting right? I'm not saying all foreskins are sold off, but some are. Even if your child's foreskin isn't - why would you throw a piece of your beautiful, innocent child into the garbage?
Here is an unbiased video of a standard circumcision in a doctor's office:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXVFFI76ff0&has_verified=1
Let your child decide for himself when he becomes an informed adult. He is the one that has to grow up using his penis - NOT YOU! If a man chooses to become circumcised as an adult - that's his prerogative. It's sad to hear about, but at least it's an adult making an informed decision for THEM SELF. An adult can consent to a surgery, a child cannot. When an adult chooses circumcision they get anesthesia, pain medication, bed rest, time off of work/school and understand what is going on. What does an infant get? They get to endure the surgery awake, probably without any form of anesthesia(If a local anesthesia is used the child can still feel pain. Please watch a circumcision video), a sugared nipple shoved into their mouth while they scream, and the most sad - they get to soil themselves on and around the wound that was just made. Adults can at least use the toilet themselves. How anyone cannot think about these things is beyond me.
A child just died a few days ago because the doctor performing the circumcision cut an artery in his penis and he bled out. Why put your child at risk for these things to happen when there is no medical need for it?!!!
No medical or health organization in the world recommends routine infant circumcision. Medicaid has even stopped funding circumcisions in 16 states because it is not medically necessary.
Ask your doctor "What medical need exists that my son be circumcised?" Unless the doctor is completely driven by greed, they should say "none." It's common sense to leave healthy functioning body parts ALONE.
God/nature put foreskin on a man for a reason. It's not a mistake or a birth defect. ( I find it highly offensive that people circumcise their children. It's like telling me indirectly that my son has a birth defect.)
http://www.drmomma.org/2009/09/functions-of-foreskin-purposes-of.html
Intact penises do not require any more cleaning than a circumcised penis. In infancy the foreskin is fused tightly to the glans and does not retract until puberty or when nature decides it is ready. "Intact - don't retract, only clean what is seen." Forced retraction leads to scarring, trauma and other issues - just don't do it!
This is the best explanation of the father/son "matchy-matchy" garbage:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xcdu4i_penn-says-matching-penises_fun
Where do these father/son comparisons take place? I find that completely borderline pedophilia. Why would you compare penises with your son? Who does that?
"I did not choose to keep my son intact any more than parents choose to let their babies keep their legs, arm, nose, etc. It is a non-decision."