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
How about facts? Circumcised men are more likely to develop complications from, well, being circumcised. Each additional surgery to correct adhesion, meatal stenosis and other common circumcision side effects cost HUNDREDS, if not thousands of dollars. The side effect of DEATH will cost a family a thousand dollars for burial, $400 for cremation. The side effect of complete penile amputation is worth a lifetime of pain and suffering.
Leaving a child intact costs nothing. Antibiotics for urinary tract infections cost the same for little boys as it does for little girls. The amount of money a women saves on KY jelly because the natural action of the foreskin prevents friction and vaginal dryness can be up in the $300 range, depending on how sexually active they are.
The HPV risk is only enhanced because the inside of the foreskin and the natural state of the glans(read:head) of the penis is actually similar to the inside of the vagina, a moist, mucal membrane, highly sensitive and yes, easier to infect with a virus than a kerotinized(read: hardened, callused and destroyed) glans(head) of the penis. THIS can be fixed by simply teaching sexual education.
I love how every reason for circumcision can be refuted, and that is done repeatedly on these posts, and nobody ever listens.
Julie took the words right out of my mouth. =)
I love 99% of these comments. Thanks for sharing the REAL FACTS =) Natalie Renee Pabon
Good lord people, you take offense at the one comment that you SHOULD be listening to! Who CARES what is or isn't on your son's penis?! Your son...MAYBE....that's about it! Seriously, do what is right for your family and shut up! no one CARES what your family did, or they shouldn't, and if they do, get a less sad life so you can pay attention to your OWN issues, instead of everyone else's. Not a SINGLE one of you mothers running your mouths on here has your life together perfectly, NOT ONE!!! The happiest one of you could find something to nit-pick or complain about, so hows about you go put your effort into fixing THAT thing, or those thingS if you slightly more pitiful than everyone else, and stop worrying about what other people do with their own familes? Seems a MUCH more useful and highly more productive, use of your time. You self righteous brats are nothing more than that, less than your children, at least they have innocence to explain the ignorant opening of their little mouths sometimes.
wow....i dont even have to say anything because everyone commenting before pretty much sums it up. im reading this going "wtf?" and then laugh out loud when i see that im not the only one here thinking that. my son is intact. my baby girl on the way will be intact too.
My sons are 36 and 33 and they have both been circumcised. Both of them are living full and happy lives and have had NO "after effects" from their circumcisions. Nor have either of them had to have therapy to "come to terms" with being circumcised.
Why doesn't everyone just mind their own business?