Circumcision

[SkyDekker 1,465]

As some of you may know, my wife is pregnant and due to deliver on April 18.

I am trying to come up with the pros and cons of circumcision and if we should have this operation performed if we have a son.

For us there are no religious reasons pro or con.

I would certainly like to hear the opinion of those on the forums.

[Luv2Fall 0]

Apart from having foreskin hanging down to one's knees, cleaniness or hygiene is "probably" the primary reason as to why most circumcisions are done.

[skyyhi 0]

I vote yes. . .I had a cousin who had a problem and had to be circumsized at 15. . .it was apparently very painful then.

Not only that, later in his life it could become a "social" issue.

________________________________________
Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ
FGF #6
Darcy

[Remster 30]

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Apart from having foreskin hanging down to one's knees, cleaniness or hygiene is "probably" the primary reason as to why most circumcisions are done.

I think hygiene is the only reason quoted now for it. And realy, I dont see it as an issue. You clean yourself or you dont. I guess if you want your kid to grow up to be a freeflier, get him circumsized .

As far as against, the general view is that being circunsized lessens your sensitivity and therfore limits your pleasure. I'm not sure I could handle more pleasure! lol but its something to think of.


The estetic reasons, well, a aquaintnace of mine got it done in his late teens because he wanted the cut look. So he could make that choice himself.

Remster

[PhillyKev 0]

I don't think cleanliness is really an issue anymore, is it? My understanding is that most of the nerve endings in the penis are in the foreskin, you lose that, you lose a whole lot of sensation. Wish I knew what I was missing out on

[DShiznit 0]

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Not only that, later in his life it could become a "social" issue.

Yup.

Slice him up while he's young.

[lawrocket 3]

Congrats! My son is due on August 3. Good timing on this.

In the 80's and 90's there was a movement away from circumcision. Dr. Dean Edell, a well-known radio doctor was one of the primary guys arguing against circumcision. Frankly, there wasn't a whole lot of data suggesting the cleanliness issue.

One of the big problems now with the uncircumcised men is actually with STD's. The problem is with things like herpes and HPV. Turns out the foreskin forms a nice environment for infections to get pretty bad, and outbreaks to be worse and more often.

Thus, there is a hygienic reason for circumcision.

My son will get it. I know, it sounds mean and cruel but I think back and - well - I can't remember mine, and I don't hold it against my parents or the doctors.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[Luv2Fall 0]

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Apart from having foreskin hanging down to one's knees, cleaniness or hygiene is "probably" the primary reason as to why most circumcisions are done.

I guess if you want your kid to grow up to be a freeflier, get him circumsized . lol but its something to think of.

[Remster 30]

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it was apparently very painful then.

I dont think its any less painfull young, but we just dont remember it....

Remster

[DrunkMonkey 0]

Yes. Get it done. For a reason why, Google search "Phimosis."

Also, cancer of the penis has only occurred in those who haven't been cut. An ounce of prevention...

[CrazyIvan 0]

Some info you might find useful:

http://www.pedsurology.com/circumci.htm

http://www.parentsplace.com/babies/newborn/articles/0,,239149_111562,00.html

http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/pa/pa_circumci_hhg.htm

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Blue Skies and May the Force be with you.

[kpjumps 0]

Having never been a boy, but pregnant with one, I did a lot of research before I made up my mind about what to do. Kyle was born in 1990 and the trend was to not go that route. Course the trend was clothe diapers too.
In the end, there were two major reasons I choose to go ahead with it. One was hygeine, how was I going to get my seven year old to get it clean enough to prevent infections? My grandfather had one in his sixties for this reason and it was more dangerous at that point in his life. If a grown man had trouble with the cleaning issues, how could anyone expect a child to take care of it? I figured we be alright until I stopped giving him baths and then what? Would he know what to look for if an infection set in? Would he, at twelve, come tell me there was a problem? He's fourteen now, and I can tell you NO, he would not even mention such a thing to me.
The other concern I had was locker rooms... I teach school and I understand that kids can be cruel for the silliest reasons. The teenage years are hard enough (I am learning) and Kyle needs no additional reasons to be singled out.
We don't talk about it, so I am not sure how my son feels about the decision I made for him as a single mom. Give me ten more years and I'll ask him;)

In the end it is a very personal decision, good luck to you and your wife and congrat's! Babies are indeed the best!
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Your character will ultimately determine your destiny.

[SkyDekker 1,465]

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Not only that, later in his life it could become a "social" issue.

I am not sure I completely understand this point.

[wmw999 2,532]

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I dont think its any less painfull young, but we just dont remember it....

They use a board with straps and indentations to hold the baby. No anesthesia, except for maybe local (not universal). Babies aren't very strong, after all.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[Remster 30]

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like herpes and HPV.

Put a raincoat on.


By the way, I dont wanna sound anti-circumsision... I just dont see much reason to do it.

Remster

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

It is my opinion that you should absolutely have it done. The only people I have ever known in person who did not have it done got teased about it during childhood and freaked out at least one sex partner by not being cut. Maybe it's different in other places around the world, but in the USA it is absolutely expected.

Chuck

[aero04 0]

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......Turns out the foreskin forms a nice environment for infections to get pretty bad, and outbreaks to be worse and more often.

Thus, there is a hygienic reason for circumcision.

Not replying to you Lawrocket, just using your quote.

I don't know why people still say this. I'll assume people take showers everyday, keep yourself clean, and infections around the foreskin don't happen.

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Not only that, later in his life it could become a "social" issue.

To me, this is about the only reason to have circumcision done.

[Remster 30]

Chuck, from one of the links above:

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In 1979, 90% of American males were circumcised compared to 60% now.

So things change. I think social pressure is not the best basis for choosing to have surgery or not.

Remster

[PhillyKev 0]

I don't know why there is so much rumor and misunderstanding about this. Most of the US is circumsized, most of Europe is not. Do they have any kind of health problems because of it?

It used to be pretty standard to remove tonsils at the drop of a hat. Then they figured out, hey, this human organ is actually there for a reason. Now it's not done unless medically necessary.

[Nightingale 0]

It's not your body. It's your child's.

Its an unnecessary, elective surgery. Why would you put a healthy infant under the knife and subject him to the risks of a surgery he doesn't need?

Let him make his own choice when he's older if it becomes a social issue. Also, if for some reason the foreskin poses a problem, the surgery can be done later on.

some more information:

http://www.mothersagainstcirc.org/majority.htm

[jjiimmyyt 0]

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Maybe it's different in other places around the world, but in the USA it is absolutely expected.

Here in the UK there was only one kid in our class who had been snipped, everyone else was (or at least said, I didn't check) still intact.

They are handy at parties aswell, somewhere to keep the limes

"This isn't an iron lung, people. You can actually disconnect and not die." -Dave

[Vallerina 2]

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Maybe it's different in other places around the world, but in the USA it is absolutely expected.

Continually following the standard and not questioning it does no good!

There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

[sunshine 2]

I wouldn't do it. I view it as genital mutilation. Teach your son proper hygiene, and there shouldn't be a problem. Plus there are other reasons why i vote no, but i don't feel comfortable posting them here. I'll send you a PM in a bit.

___________________________________________
meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[lawrocket 3]

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......Turns out the foreskin forms a nice environment for infections to get pretty bad, and outbreaks to be worse and more often.

Thus, there is a hygienic reason for circumcision.

Not replying to you Lawrocket, just using your quote.

I don't know why people still say this. I'll assume people take showers everyday, keep yourself clean, and infections around the foreskin don't happen.

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Not only that, later in his life it could become a "social" issue.

To me, this is about the only reason to have circumcision done.

Well, the mechanism of the outbreak is aided by the foreskin. If you've got HPV, you are infected regardless of how clean you keep it. Still, the environment created by the foreskin leads to more outbreaks and greater severity. Cleanliness will not prevent a cold sore from a person already infected.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[freeflir29 0]

My son was born in 95. I elected to NOT get him cut. I read a lot of articles and I just didn't see any real evidence for it. Likwe someone else mentioned......most Europeans aren't cut and you don't see them falling over dead.

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Maybe it's different in other places around the world, but in the USA it is absolutely expected.

Yep.........had a recent experience where a girl was quite suprised that I was. Of course......I was in Europe. Wasn't a big deal really. She asked if it was for religious reasons. I just said "Nope......the majority of Americans get cut." She said...."Oh" and that was that. Well......she siad "OH" a few more times that night too.