Poll: Circumcision?

Jordan Posted: Oct 23, 2003 09:35 PM

Poll: Circumcision?

I am very torn on this subject...what have you done? - what do you plan to do? - reasons why?

Wendy Posted: Oct 23, 2003 09:46 PM

Re: Poll: Circumcision?

Oh heavens my son will kill me if he ever finds out I posted this, but he is not. The decision was based on my pediatrican's advice. I researched (as best I could in the olden days of no internet) as much medical info as I could find and determined that it was the best way to go. There is no medical reason for circumcision. The only issue could be the possibility of infection if the foreskin is not kept clean, but otherwise it is not medically indicated. My son is 20, never had an infection or a single problem and although the doctor told me he would have a better sex life...I'm not asking because he is too young for that stuff and I surely do not want to know!!!!

DKA1026 Posted: Oct 23, 2003 09:58 PM

Re: Poll: Circumcision?

No way!! Just the thought of doing that to my baby for no good medical reason makes me want to cry!!

Jordan Posted: Oct 23, 2003 10:22 PM

Re: Poll: Circumcision?

For the most part, I feel like you DKA. But then I get torn when I think about the 'difference' and how the boy would deal with that (as far as HS peer pressure, girls finding it -fill in the blank-, etc.).

Wendy: If it's not too personal to ask, has your son had to deal with what I mentioned above?

IrishTracy Posted: Oct 23, 2003 11:14 PM

Re: Poll: Circumcision?

I didn't. I was told that you should do what the daddy is so that they don't look different. And in Ireland circumsions are rare. So far he hasn't had a problem.

I know for some of my friends they thought it was odd that I didn't. But, after I heard a boy screaming while getting his in the hospital I felt I made the right decision. I've also seen my baby cousins after he was born & yikes it looks sore & painful.

My 'Adult' opinion it doesn't make a difference. It's just skin.

BriarRose Posted: Oct 23, 2003 11:58 PM

Re: Poll: Circumcision?

My son was. I did not want to add to the social pressure of being different.
Being a girl I remember my reaction the first time I saw an 'uncircumsised'. I was freaked and it showed.

DH's 21 year old cousin who's married just decided to have it done. He's never understoood why his mother did not have it done when he was born.
Anyway, he shared with us the wonderful story of recovery.

Let's just say I dont regret my decision.

chmlengr Posted: Oct 24, 2003 12:04 AM

Re: Poll: Circumcision?

It's a good question, and although I have a long ways to go before I'll know if I'm having a boy or girl, I am almost positive I will, if I have a son, have him circumsized. I know it's not medically necessary, but part of me it's just used to that way and I would want my son to be the same. There's really no good reason I can offer, I just feel as though I will.

yabbobay Posted: Oct 24, 2003 01:32 AM

Re: Poll: Circumcision?

this is a decision I give to John....and he is adament about circumcision...

i'm a bit embarrassed to admit...I've never seen an uncircumcised one...

LisaT Posted: Oct 24, 2003 01:40 AM

Re: Poll: Circumcision?

given the reaction of friends when they 'came across' an uncircumsized man ...I'd want to spare my son that reaction.

it just seems like a cruel procedure, but I don't know know what I'd do yet...

I know my SIL was against the circumcision but her husband convinced her otherwise because he didn't want his sons to wonder why they looked different.

(I've only seen uncircumsized in pictures)

JennRenee Posted: Oct 24, 2003 07:16 AM

Re: Poll: Circumcision?

I left this one up to Patrick. I've seen studies that are for and against circ'ing, and I didn't have any strong views either way. Patrick is very strongly for it, so that's what we agreed on, if our baby is a boy.

jenny11.9 Posted: Oct 24, 2003 07:39 AM

Re: Poll: Circumcision?

I always said no. But my husband would insist on it. Something about being in the locker room....I remember the explanation sounded lame to me so I tuned out......but agreed that he could have that say.

That I just would never let him live it down....

jlf41 Posted: Oct 24, 2003 07:53 AM

Re: Poll: Circumcision?

Like Jen and jenny and Erica, I am leaving this one up to Kevin. He insists on it, the whole thing about not being different, and I am ambivalent. So looks like the little guy will have it done. Kevin will be there with him for it, but I might not be able to take it.

JennRenee Posted: Oct 24, 2003 08:09 AM

Re: Poll: Circumcision?

Jessica, I too will be FAR from the procedure!

Claud2001 Posted: Oct 24, 2003 09:20 AM

Re: Poll: Circumcision?

My son was. I did not want to add to the social pressure of being different.

I absolutely agree there is no medical 'reason' for circumcision...HOWEVER, IMO...anything that presents an increased *possibility* for infection is reason enough for me! Again, JMO. That said, my hubby is and I wanted my son to be like Daddy.

Like Reena, I was a bit 'taken back' the first time I saw one...even though my ex had prepared me for it (he said it looked like his penis was wearing a turtleneck ), I still could not help my reaction.

I NEVER want my son to feel 'different' during an intimate and vulnerable moment - regardless of his age!

AND...the procedure in the hospital (after birth) is not a big deal. DH originally said he did not want to be with Paul, but when the time came, he would NOT leave his side. The baby did not have anesthesia - just a local numbing agent - and Paul was comforted by using Daddy's finger as a Binky. The after care was no big deal - just a blob of vaseline on a gauze pad with each diaper change for 2 weeks. DONE.

I know someone who had this done as a teenager, and WOW - was it painful!

Sassyz75 Posted: Oct 24, 2003 09:24 AM

Re: Poll: Circumcision?

My good friend's husband converted to judaism and he had it done at 25! Let me tell you- he was NOT happy!

Melissa Posted: Oct 24, 2003 09:34 AM

Re: Poll: Circumcision?

We are circumsizing (sp?) our son. We both insist on it. To us it's the normal thing to do. Medically or not! Good friends of ours did not circumsize their son for religious reasons. We definitely will be though! Of course we want to do it for all the health reasons, and so people won't make fun of him, but overall, it just seems normal to do that! It's better to get that done when he's first born, than if he really regreted not being cut and wanted it done when he's older, this way he won't remember what happened!

JustJodi Posted: Oct 24, 2003 09:39 AM

Re: Poll: Circumcision?

I'm with Claud on this one. My son was circumsized and this baby will be too..
Since there is a chance of infections throughout life I would rather play it safe.
Whatever pain my son felt for a few minutes, I can assure you, he doesnt remember now.
The pain of infection as an adult I'm sure is far more uncomfortable.

I also know in talking to a male friend growing up that wasnt, he was always soooo uncomfortable with himself cause ' its not what most boys had'. Most pediatricians always push for it..

IrishTracy Posted: Oct 24, 2003 10:49 AM

Re: Poll: Circumcision?

My peditritian did not push for it at all!!

My oldest brother did have to get circumsized at the age of I think 6. (due to infection) But, I was told it was a rare thing. My husband never had a problem. And all the Mommies I know that had boys recently only 1 out of 5 was circumsized.

I don't think socially it's a big deal. (Am I the only one who dated foreign men??
)

Claud2001 Posted: Oct 24, 2003 11:02 AM

Re: Poll: Circumcision?

No Tracy! The 'ex' I speak about in my post above was Russian....and I've dated other foreign men, too...although, not as 'intimately.' I do think (based on my experiences) that choosing not to circumcise is more popular in Europe, as most European nations have a non-intervention (read: holistic)viewpoint toward MANY medical procedures that Western countries insist upon.

I TOTALLY agree with you that not all pediatricians insist on circumcisions. Our pediatrician in California did not force any view upon us - it was totally our decision. I will say that if my hubby was not circumcised, I may have made a different decision. This is one of those 'issues' that has very strong lines of opinions, and of course, there is nothing wrong with that. But, I also did not want to just leave this decision up to my hubby...I had to let him know about my opinions (and experiences)

Jordan Posted: Oct 24, 2003 11:04 AM

Re: Poll: Circumcision?

Thanks for the replies...very interesting to see everyones opinions and Poll picks.

I've seen an uncircumcised penis and it didn't affect me either way...I don't really mind things being different.

It just seems so cruel to me - at times - to take a piece of my son from him, without his input on the matter. Ugh. I'm still torn - thankfully I'm far from TTC and this isn't a 'pressing matter'.