The American Academy of Pediatrics has changed its guidelines on circumcision for the first time in more than a decade. And, despite an overwhelming move toward skipping the procedure, the new language actually sounds a little more positive toward it. As a mom of both a boy and a girl, I am happy about this change.
The AAP hasn't completely gone over in support of circumcision, but the old language sounded a little more neutral. Now it says essentially that the health benefits to the procedure are much more compelling than the risks. Sounds very close to an endorsement, though, no?
Personally, I think it's about the time. The "intactivists" may have some points when it comes to the natural state of a boy's penis. But they have no point when it comes to health. Circumcision wins every time.
Whether or not to circumcise was one of the hardest decisions of my life as a mom. From the moment I found out I was having a boy, I struggled. I live in an area where very few mothers choose to circumcise their sons, and as a mom whose decisions are (mostly) on the "crunchier" side -- long term breastfeeding, co-sleeping, slings over strollers -- I struggled with the question. Even though my cultural tradition was to circumcise, was it a good idea?
More from The Stir: Watch Cameron Diaz Perform a Mock Circumcision (VIDEO)
In the end, the decision was a cultural one, but the medical reasons really pushed my husband and me in one direction. Now, it seems the AAP supports that.
Infants who are circumcised (and later men who are) run a much lower risk of urinary tract infections, HIV, and penile cancer. Circumcision also may help stop certain STDs like Herpes and HPV. Sure, some of the benefits are for their future sex partners, but we also know that there are benefits for them as well. In fact, avoiding circumcision may add over $4 billion in U.S. health care costs. This is for all of us.
Look, this is a personal choice. There are so many opportunities for women to fight over these kinds of issues, but I am glad to see that the AAP is standing up for sound medical reasoning and not being cowed by the bullies who want to trounce over other people's rights to make their own decisions.
Do what is right for you and your family and your son and then shut up about it. Please.
Do you like the new AAP language?
Image via babybizcakes/Flickr
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Comments 350
Most boys would not be capable of doing a thorough cleaning of their penis until they are AT LEAST 5. Many parents simply don't want to (aren't comfortable) handling thier childrens genitals on a daily basis once they are out of diapers.
Of course we don't wan't children to grow up to be promiscuous, but shows like teen mom and maury povich show that many are irresponsible.
I have 2 sons now (4 girls as as well) and we are pregnant with our 3rd boy. I choose circumsicion. Not because of religious beliefs but the main reason is because, I have 3 uncles, and my brother, who all were breastfed babies, and whose parents cleaned and scrubbed 2-3 times daily, and these "now" men, were all intact until they hit teens when they had to go through the very painful procedure. (It's done differently as an adult or older child than as an infant. I still agree it's personal choice but personally I see the medical sid eof it too. I don't want my boys to EVER have to go through that pain. MY brother school for a month because of the pain. As for the breastfeeding to avoidn UTI's my youngest son was EBF and developed a serious UTI before he was 10 days old. he spent 2 weeks in the hospital on IV antibiotics and numerous tests including spinal taps to rule out other illnesses. I've breastfed everyone of my 6 children, and as much as I believe in breastfeeding for baby's health and wel-being. There are some things that even breastfeeding can't stop. (oh and FYI if you're wondering, I"m also a medical professional in natural birth and health.
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here's an idea... breastfeed your sons to avoid urinary tract infections, teach them to use soap and wate,r and to wrap it up during sexual intercourse...
YES. Thank you. It always boggles my mind why that's so hard to grasp for some people. Girls are far more likely to get UTI's anyway and they are easily treated, in both genders. Not that big of a deal.
exactly. i agree with jagamama0710. I don't see where people get these "statistics" about health and cleanliness. Especially out side of guys being man-sluts when they're older.
Wow, isn’t this great. The AAP nitpicked it’s research to show it to cost more to be intact and that it will cost more money to leave children in their natural state.
Yes, it will make the healthcare system LOSE money(thereby "costing" them money). Why? Not because intact men have more health issues, but because doctors can't SELL SOMETHING THEY DON'T HAVE. They can't sell your child's foreskin if you leave it ON HIM.
The FACT is, foreskins are sold for $599 per 1ml of neonatal foreskin cells. Doctor’s charge $400 for the procedure that takes 10 minutes, then go and sell the flesh for $599 per 1ml, and at least 2ml are harvest-able.
AAP is catering to doctor’s wallets, not children’s welfare.
I love how intactivists try to say there are no health benifits IF you wash properly and aren't promiscuous.
Most boys would not be capable of doing a thorough cleaning of their penis until they are AT LEAST 5. Many parents simply don't want to (aren't comfortable) handling thier childrens genitals on a daily basis once they are out of diapers.
Uh...you should be teaching them to wash properly and not be promiscuous anyway...that's your job. And yes, way to be sexist with the "boys aren't capable" comment. We teach our daughter's how to wipe properly, we can teach our son's the same. Yes, they are capable of it. My son is younger than 5, his foreskin has retracted already, and he knows how to clean it. How? Because his father (also intact, never an infection or problem in his 28 years of life) TAUGHT him. Imagine that. A parent doing their job. If you are too uncomfortable with your child's body to help and teach them to care for it when they are that young, even once they are out of diapers, then you shouldn't be a parent.