Do people still get their boys circumsized?

Question

I'm not sure if I'm having a boy, but if i do i don't think i would want to do that. Why do people do it? I know they say its more hygienic but is that all?

Answer 1

Ok, so I see you have a TON of answers but I wanted to throw my two cents in.  

I have three boys and all are circumcised.  My decision came because I knew two boys ages 12 and 17 that had to have it done because of infection and a 2yr old because the daycare didn't 'pull his f******n back' to clean him at diaper changes and he got and infection.  With all three the recovery was excrusiating and took what seemed like forever.  

As for looking like daddy... I don't know anyone who made that decision solely so they would look like dad.  I was asked, however, when my first son was born which method I wanted them to use.  There were three at that time and each had a different end result 'look' and they said that most people pick whichever way resembles dad the closest.  Unfortunatley when my first son was born he had a hypospadius and had to wait a year for surgery and there was no choice but for him to have the circumsized look.  

The recovery is literaly about 5-7 days, they dont even seem to care when you have it done at birth.  It is way easy to care for and once it is healed diaper changes are normal.  It was so easy that when I had my 3rd son who is 8 weeks old I had forgotten how to care for it because my other boys are 7 and 10.  It is such a short recovery time that you literally will barely remember dealing with it.  

As for the person who declares that it is mandated by the Bible...  Jewish people circumsize because it is mandated for them in the Bible.. per their religion.  But Christians are not mandated because we believe in Christ and he washes out all the covenants from the Old Testament because He is the New Covenant.  Therefore Christians don't believe that circumsision is mandated by God.  

I am a Christian, but I still did it because it is a hygiene thing.  Every doctor my kids have had I have asked about it (because my 1st son went through 4 surgeries in the first 3 yrs of his life and there was always a question about circumsision, which by the time he hit the 4th surgery there was no choice)  Every one has told me that a large percentage of men without it will get it done later on in life.  The urologist who did my sons 2nd surgery said that he has a lot of elderly men that come in to have it done because they can't risk an infection and they can't keep it as clean as it needs to be.

So for those saying 'oooo... I don't have it so you shouldn't have it done to your child'... give it time man and we'll see.

And for those who say they don't have it done because they are letting their kids make the decision on their own.. how cruel to forgo an operation because you don't want to take responsibility and pawn it off on your kid possibly causing them to have to go through a painful procedure later on in life.  

All I have to say to that is 'You give your kids vaccinations to prevent disease and pain... this is along the same lines.  In fact, I have NEVER heard of someone who IS circumsized having any problems in life from it, yet you hear ALL the time about adverse reactions to vaccinations.  Yet I bet you vaccinate, don't you?  I don't hear anyone saying... well... I will let my kid decide on his own if he wants the polio vaccine.  No, duh, that is part of being a parent is to make those tough decisions for your kids best interest.

I am not saying that parents who don't circumcize are bad parents... I just can't stand when they bash those of us who do.  If you make that choice because you feel that it is in your childs best interest then that is totally cool.  If you are doing it because you don't want the responsibility if God forbid something goes wrong, then shame on you.  This in comparison is a way easy decision compared to the ones coming down the pike.  Trust me.  If you don't do it because you claim it to be mutilation.. that is so sad that in this day and age you are that ignorant about the issue.  It is very much the same gravity of a decision as getting your child vaccinated.

Well... that is my two cents...  I would totally go to your OB and sons future pediatrician and ask them what their opinions on it are.  They are the ones in the field who see what not circumsizing can do.

It is paranoid fanatics like some of these people on here who cause unneccasary things to happen that can be big issues.  It was fanatical stay at home moms (literally-and I am not slamming because I am a SAHM) who claimed that parents were 'abusing' their kids by giving them low iron formula.  Mind you doctors back up the reasons for needing such a formula yet it was fanatics who pushed the AAP into pulling it from the store shelves.  The solution if your child needed less iron was to dilute regular formula... hello?  iron is a poison to some people and kids can overdose on it, yet they pulled it.  All my sons as am I are iron intolerant.  And I can't breast feed... So... we have to get low iron formula at a stupid price perscribed by our doc. Well, I hope this helped.  I will hop of my soapbox now, lol.

Answer 2

It is more Hygienic and its just something that is more common today, more and more moms are getting their boys Circumcised whether because its just what they are told they should do, religion, or they own other certain reasons.

You've just got to ask yourself the question do I want to.

I personally didn't have my sons done, I wanted to definitely for the reasons I stated above, a lot of boys do get made fun of with not being circumcised. I had a friend who wasn't ever circumcised and he chose to at 16 and it was SO HARD on him, the best time to do it is when you are just born because we heal SO MUCH faster.

But, We didn't because my son had a problem with his p***s, came to find out he is fine now and is scheduled for a Circumcision the 25th of September 6days after his birthday, are we getting it done, No.

We plan to let him choose when he gets older himself, and if he does choose to then Great! If not, then thats great to.

Either way I think its your choice and we shouldn't judge as probably some will say a few nasty things about getting baby's Circumcised.

Good Luck! =) & Congrats!!

Answer 3

My son is six, and he is circumcised, my nephew is 5 mos, he is circumcised.  There is less chance of infections with circumcision.  You can talk to your obstetrician about it.  They will ask you if you want your boy circumcised or not and tell you why or why not to do it.

Answer 4

Some people still do. My thoughts are, why cut up a perfectly healthy baby?

Answer 5

like one of the above posters wrote. there is no positive or negative to it per say. its purely aesthetic these days. like someone above wrote " i dont want my kid to feel uncomfortable in gym"

as long as you own a bar of soap i dont see how it would be unclean. like being circumcised gives you a excuse to go longer without bathing? the whole disease thing is untrue as well.

just do a little research. here are a few facts i know

1. men with f******n have more sensitivity (at one point it was said to be the cure for masturbation)

2. if your a girl it would be like cutting off the hood of your C**t.

3. ribbed condoms are made to simulate f******n.

if you think about its really your sons decision. he can always get it done if he really wants it, but d**n near impossible to get it back if he didnt want it.

he probably wont say it out loud but he might be thanking you in his head when hes older

but seriously do some research on it. i did and personally im against it, its unnecessary and people think you have to get it done when you really dont.  

Answer 6

My son is 3 and is circumsized.  My hubby is not and at almost 40 is considering having the procedure done.  He says it is a hassle to keep it clean and is very high maintenance.  

Answer 7

There are plenty of reasons for not doing it. Just google it, and you'll find out.

Why do people do it?  The most common reason to do it is that parents are afraid that they boy will look different, and that men want their sons to look like them ("I had it done, so junior will too".)

If you're leaning towards not circumsizing, then read up on the issues because you'll find lots of major medical associates recommend AGAINST circumcision.  

And lots of parents aren't getting it done these days, so he won't look different, because there will be lots of other boys around who haven't had it done either.

Answer 8

i'm not sure, i just know my fiance wanted it done, and the doctor assured us it would be numbed and he healed fast it didn't seem to bother him or traumatize him in anyway, my son is a perfectly healthy happy boy, he's never had a nightmare or anything so people can say what they want, but that was OUR choice. you do what you want.  

Answer 9

i asked this question too as i am expecting a boy- you could check out my questions as i got a tonne of answers!  

Answer 10

Well it is a societal thing. It has been done for ages so people think they need to keep doing it. Circumcision is not necessary as the human body has 2 self-cleaning organs -the eyes and the genitals. Circumcision does have risks as does any procedure but not many hospitals tell you that. They would rather tell you the stupid reasons why you need to have it done. My sons are not circed and they are fine. There is no special care required-only soap and water!!!

Answer 11

About 60% of boys in the US are circumcised.  However, it is regional also.  In Minnesota 60 percent of boys are circumcised.  In California only 30% are circumcised.  

Some do it because there is a slightly lower risk of contracting an STD due to boys/men not wiping under the f******n.  Others do it because of tradition.  Some still believe that it is healthier for the boy to be circumcised.  However, pediatricians now say that there is hardly any health benefit.  I will probably get mine circumcised only because for so long doctors felt it was healthier and now all of a sudden that is not the case.  I have a feeling doctors will change their minds some years from now and say it is healthier to be circumcised.    

Answer 12

Yes here in the US most people have their babies circumsized.   I'm not sure about Europe but I know it didn't used to be as common there.

Yes..it's done for health reasons.... but I also think I don't want to have my little boy feeling weird in gym class because he looks different.   I'm having a boy and will definitely have this done.

Answer 13

Do your research. for some reason some people get so heated on this subject even though it is a very personal decision.

talk to your partner see how he feels.

I personally chose to circumcise my son. His father is so we chose to do the same with him.  You can teach a boy to keep an uncircumcised p***s clean.  

Now because some men dont keep an uncircumcised p***s clean.....  the chances of a female with an uncircumcised partner getting cervical cancer is higher then a female with a circumcised partner . but again with good hygiene practice there shouldnt be a worry

Good luck with whatever you choose.  

Answer 14

Of course, it's done for health purposes.

Answer 15

how do u women like it?

Answer 16

I don't know anyone who didn't get their son circumcised.  

Answer 17

More & more parents, these days are not having their sons circumcised.  http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pu...

In fact, nationwide, the circ rate has been holding steady at about 60% for over 20 years.  That means that, on average, 40% of the kids in your son's gym class won't be circ'ed.  

He's not going to 'look like dad', anyway, as an infant or as a child.  And, by the time he's an adult, he'll understand & appreciate why you didn't give him surgery just so he could look like dad.  And, he'll probably not be comparing himself to dad much by that age, anyway.

You're going to teach your son to clean himself, anyway, circed or not.  If he's intact, once he starts retracting (and that can happen anytime up until he's in his teens), he'll just have to pull the f******n back & rinse whenever he showers.  It takes about 5 seconds to do, altogether.  Before he retracts, there is no extra cleaning involved.

As you can probably tell by my answer, we didn't choose to circumcise.  It seemed like unnecessary cosmetic surgery.  If it becomes medically necessary, of course we will have it done.  If my son chooses to do it for cosmetic reasons as a adult, then we will support him.  Sure, it will be painful, but it will be his choice (and, if it hurts when they're adults & able to articulate the pain, it would seem that it also hurts when they're babies, too - they just don't have the ability to express the pain at that time).  

Answer 18

Yes, I think it's about 50% of all male babies are circumcised in the US right now. My sons are both circumcised but my brothers are not.

We did it for hygienic reasons. If an uncircumcised male takes care of himself and cleans himself properly there is generally no problem, but as with anything, there is a large population that does not take care of such things, even if taught properly as kids. I'd rather they don't have to worry about it.

With the numbers being 50% right now there isn't a locker room issue, either way they fit in with half of the other boys.

Personally, I can't stand the "look" of uncircumcised males. Yuck. Reminds me of an earthworm.

Answer 19

Read the BIBLE.

Answer 20

yes most do now adays.   it is hygienic because if they don't get circumcised that can cause infections under the f******n.

Answer 21

It is unfair to mutilate a baby boy when he can not decide for himself.  Cleansing is a non issue now that we have soap and water.  Exposing the delicate glans end of the organ tends to dry and toughen the surface.  This may reduce his sensation and enjoyment of intercourse.  The f******n serves to protect and maintain the glans sensitivity for his adult life.