****** I realized I didn't put 'maybe' on the poll...just use 'what is this' as maybe*****
What do you think of this?
Fh and I have had a few heated deabtes over the circumcison issue, and we don't even plan to have kids for years.
The reason it came up again recently is because on our favorite show (penn and teller bullsh--), they had an episode on it, and they actually showed circumcisons taking place. EW. It was SO scary.
My take on it is that it's barbaric, it's completely uneccesary and it causes under strain on a baby. They're now saying that there's no medical reason for it (just take a shower!), and I just can't see removing it for no reason. I'm not going to go into surgery to have my appendix out if it isn't enflamed. Should I also have my newbors undergo tonsilectemies? I mean ONE DAY it MIGHT be a problem....To me I don't understand the purpose of it. Also, some people say it removes 25% of highly sensitive skin, so it also takes away ptential sexual pleasure, etc etc.
I know this has been a long standing religious tradition for some 'cutting' the covenant. However, there is a LOT of really barbaric stuff in the old testament, and we're better off having left it behind, maybe this is one of those things that western culture should wake up and realize is barbaric and uneccesary...
What are your thoughts?
Goldi1021
Posted:
Member since
Re: Kind of a parenting questions, but CIRCUMCISON
Sorry guys. I have seen both. IMO it looks better cut. Also I would sooner trust a Mohel than a surgeon to do a circumcision because that is ALL they do for a living. No room for error when the community of Mohels is so small. In this area of the country and city, you see the same ones over and over. As skilled as a surgeon has to be, a Mohel is much better suited for the job. IMO.
Bunnymonkey
Posted:
Member since
Re: Kind of a parenting questions, but CIRCUMCISON
Who cares if you think it 'looks' better - that is a ludicrous way to decide whether you will cut your child or not! So, will you be bothered by the LOOK of his penis while you are changing his diaper? If anything, cutting a child should be about religion, tradition, and personal beliefes. Not what is cosmetically 'prettier.' I find that an offensive reason to circumsize.
To say a child has self esteem issues if he is not cut is IMO, also ridiculous. Marymoon had a great point about hair color and kids. I am not going to do something to my kid just so he 'fits in' with the other kids. How often are school aged boys comparing penises anyway? And if it's not one thing, it's another thing that kids will get teased about - you can't protect them from everything.
Personally, I have never encountered any un-cut male who was embarrased about his penis. My X of 3 years was uncircumsized, and he was aware of the very minor maintenance that goes along with it, and it was never a problem.
I will not circumsize my children. They were born with it - it's theirs to keep. My opinion on whether or not it looks pretty is completely irrelevant.
Janice
Posted:
Member since
Re: Kind of a parenting questions, but CIRCUMCISON
I am shocked that 75% would have it done. I think it is so close minded to go that route.
LIBrideinBWI
Posted:
Member since
Re: Kind of a parenting questions, but CIRCUMCISON
Well, I think it's closed-minded to call other people closed-minded for answering differently then you.....
My son(s) will be circumcised.
Amy
Goldi1021
Posted:
Member since
Re: Kind of a parenting questions, but CIRCUMCISON
Posted by Bunnymonkey
Who cares if you think it 'looks' better - that is a ludicrous way to decide whether you will cut your child or not! So, will you be bothered by the LOOK of his penis while you are changing his diaper? If anything, cutting a child should be about religion, tradition, and personal beliefes. Not what is cosmetically 'prettier.' I find that an offensive reason to circumsize.
Not that I have to explain myself to anyone but I was referring to adults not children when I said it looks better. I don't look at children aesthetically. I also happen to be Jewish so it IS my personal as well as religious belief that a male be circumcised regardless of whether or not society at large views it as barbaric. My religion. My opinion. My preference.
JimmysBride
Posted:
Member since
Re: Kind of a parenting questions, but CIRCUMCISON
Posted by LIBrideinBWI
Well, I think it's closed-minded to call other people closed-minded for answering differently then you.....
My son(s) will be circumcised.
Amy
I have to agree with THAT!
Our son will be born in about 7 weeks and he will absolutely be circumcised and it is not part of our religious beliefs. I left this decision entirely up to DH. He doesn't want his son to be 'different'. He has seen what goes on in locker rooms and he says he would never put his child through that. DH is circumsized also. Besides, I've heard of plenty of men who weren't cut at birth and later went on to get circumsized anyway because they felt different or preferred to be cut, or whatever.
I (personally) have never heard any stories of men who wish their foreskin had been left on and have gotten surgery to have it replaced. They probably exist, but I doubt it's as common as those who chose to be cut later in life.
queenB
Posted:
Member since
Re: Kind of a parenting questions, but CIRCUMCISON
i will due to the hygeine issue. My ex husband was not circ. and even though he was very diligent on keeping it clean etc. he had a reoccuring infection that forced him to be circ. at 35. (not something enjoyable for him) He has a son from a previous marriage and chose to circ. him. said he didnt want to him to have to deal with the hygine issue. i guess everyone has their own opionion.
Jax430
Posted:
Member since
Re: Kind of a parenting questions, but CIRCUMCISON
Posted by Janice
I am shocked that 75% would have it done. I think it is so close minded to go that route.
Why is it closed minded to have a different opinion than you? You have every right to your opinion and to not have your future sons circumcized, but that does NOT make those of us who choose to 'closed-minded'! You have no idea how all the people who responded to the poll came to that decision. They may have spent a great deal of time considering the options before coming to that decision. That is far from closed-minded!
JimmysBride
Posted:
Member since
Re: Kind of a parenting questions, but CIRCUMCISON
Posted by Jax430
Posted by Janice
I am shocked that 75% would have it done. I think it is so close minded to go that route.
Why is it closed minded to have a different opinion than you? You have every right to your opinion and to not have your future sons circumcized, but that does NOT make those of us who choose to 'closed-minded'! You have no idea how all the people who responded to the poll came to that decision. They may have spent a great deal of time considering the options before coming to that decision. That is far from closed-minded!
Well said Jackie.
tourist
Posted:
Member since
Re: Kind of a parenting questions, but CIRCUMCISON
Posted by Jax430
Posted by Janice
I am shocked that 75% would have it done. I think it is so close minded to go that route.
Why is it closed minded to have a different opinion than you? You have every right to your opinion and to not have your future sons circumcized, but that does NOT make those of us who choose to 'closed-minded'! You have no idea how all the people who responded to the poll came to that decision. They may have spent a great deal of time considering the options before coming to that decision. That is far from closed-minded!
Yes, and you don't know how many of those people, like, Jackie & GOldi, would say yes for religious reasons.
btrflygrl
Posted:
Member since
Re: Kind of a parenting questions, but CIRCUMCISON
we will circumcise our sons....for me it's more of a religious thing-I was raised Jewish. For DH, it's a matter of not being different from the other buys in school.
My stepbrother was not, and has it done in his late teens...Why? Because he didn't want to be different from the other guys in his gym class (they shower after swim class) so my father and stepmother allowed him to do it.
july06bride
Posted:
Member since
Re: Kind of a parenting questions, but CIRCUMCISON
Posted by usuk2004
Circumcision is largely an American thing. My DH and most Europeans are not. He's never had any hygeine problems - I mean really it requires minimal extra effort, and one would think men would be concerned about cleanliness whether they were circumsized or not.
The biggest reason not to circumsize, IMO, is sexual pleasure. Whether on one's own or during intercourse, the foreskin allows the penis to move easier...
mrswask
Posted:
Member since
Re: Kind of a parenting questions, but CIRCUMCISON
Posted by Goldi1021
Sorry guys. I have seen both. IMO it looks better cut. Also I would sooner trust a Mohel than a surgeon to do a circumcision because that is ALL they do for a living. No room for error when the community of Mohels is so small. In this area of the country and city, you see the same ones over and over. As skilled as a surgeon has to be, a Mohel is much better suited for the job. IMO.
When my friends were looking to have their son circumsized, all the doctors told them they were better off going to a Mohel because they had SO much experience circumsizing children.
RedHead
Posted:
Member since
Re: Kind of a parenting questions, but CIRCUMCISON
Posted by Bunnymonkey
Who cares if you think it 'looks' better - that is a ludicrous way to decide whether you will cut your child or not! So, will you be bothered by the LOOK of his penis while you are changing his diaper? If anything, cutting a child should be about religion, tradition, and personal beliefes. Not what is cosmetically 'prettier.' I find that an offensive reason to circumsize.
To say a child has self esteem issues if he is not cut is IMO, also ridiculous. Marymoon had a great point about hair color and kids. I am not going to do something to my kid just so he 'fits in' with the other kids. How often are school aged boys comparing penises anyway? And if it's not one thing, it's another thing that kids will get teased about - you can't protect them from everything.
Personally, I have never encountered any un-cut male who was embarrased about his penis. My X of 3 years was uncircumsized, and he was aware of the very minor maintenance that goes along with it, and it was never a problem.
I will not circumsize my children. They were born with it - it's theirs to keep. My opinion on whether or not it looks pretty is completely irrelevant.
To go there is just silly....EVERYBODY does something that conforms to our society...Whether it is the way we dress , the way we look, the music we listen to, The earings in their ears, hairstyles and colors....
People to lots of things to fit in and make them feel better about themselves...
There is NOTHING wrong with choosing to do this because it would or might make their self esteem better.
I have pin straight hair...my mom at 12 let me perm my pin straight hair because alll my friends were doing it too! Is that bad NO...
SO STOP THE LECTURE about something we are ALL products of!
marymoon
Posted:
Member since
Re: Kind of a parenting questions, but CIRCUMCISON
I think perming your hair to fit in is a LOT different than ptting and infant through srgery.
Apparently the practice of circumcison became popular in the united states in the 1800's because they felt it would curb the urges of little boys to masturbate!
Als, some people say that the foreskin is there to protect the glans, especially in children, and that the glans is intended to be a somehwat internal organ.
I don't really agree that fitting in or cosmetics is a good reason to give a child surgery.
RedHead
Posted:
Member since
Re: Kind of a parenting questions, but CIRCUMCISON
Posted by marymoon
I think perming your hair to fit in is a LOT different than ptting and infant through srgery.
Apparently the practice of circumcison became popular in the united states in the 1800's because they felt it would curb the urges of little boys to masturbate!
Als, some people say that the foreskin is there to protect the glans, especially in children, and that the glans is intended to be a somehwat internal organ.
I don't really agree that fitting in or cosmetics is a good reason to give a child surgery.
i think it is somewhat similar...at least for me. I would be doing it because i feel that i wouldn't want my child to ever feel inadequate or self conscious about himself or his body. I know some do actually feel this way...
SO YES imo it is kinda in the same realm. To fit it. to make yourself feel better. Is one more extreme sure...but still kinda the same concept on some level!
I DO infact believe that to be true...so i am not having my son go through that
marymoon
Posted:
Member since
Re: Kind of a parenting questions, but CIRCUMCISON
I'm really looking for a/the compelling reason to have this procedure done, but I don't know. It seems like the only compelling reason to do it is some variation of 'because everyone else does'.
Isn't the thought totally barbaric to anyone but me?
As parents, we freak out if a kid scrapes his face with a fingernail, yet we actually sanction someone cutting off skin w/ a knife. I don't get it. I'd like to (hence this post) but I just don't!
jaclyncalderon
Posted:
Member since
Re: Kind of a parenting questions, but CIRCUMCISON
Ok I hope I don't make anyone mad but I'm gonna jump in with a couple of thoughts....First I voted definitely YES!! I have 2 reasons for it - one is that I always thought everyone (for the most part was circumcised) and it was a 'normal' thing so of course I would want my son to be also...and the hygiene thing - I have heard the same about cleanliness
What I am surprised to read is so many people saying that they want their son to look like their father because he is their role model - I just don't understand what son is seeing his father's penis? I know FH has never seen his dad's (asked when I read this) and I have never seen my mother naked - I hope I don't offend anyone I was more just curious and wanted to throw this out there
jaclyncalderon
Posted:
Member since
Re: Kind of a parenting questions, but CIRCUMCISON
Marymoon....you're FH's parents are jewish right? Is that going to be a problem??
marymoon
Posted:
Member since
Re: Kind of a parenting questions, but CIRCUMCISON
Posted by jaclyncalderon
Marymoon....you're FH's parents are jewish right? Is that going to be a problem??
You mean if we don;t circumcize our sons? Yeah, probably. But they have something to say about everything, and we have decided to do our own thing.
I have to be clear on this. FH is fighting me tooth and nail over this particular issue. I mean of course he is, he's jewish, and he'll probably win out, but as I say that I cringe because I just can't imagine somone cutting parts off of my newborn baby. That's part of the reason for this post. i'm trying to understand the reasons, and so far it just makes me more resolute in NOT wanting them circumcisec because to me most of the reasons cited are not good enough reasons to give surgery to an infant (imo...of course it's a personal choice).
