[sespan]

Later this week, my wife and I are moving forward with having our new son (16 months) circumcised, and I am curious as to general thoughts about circumcision.

Here is our reasoning to have it done: As our son is going to be a part of a very small minority of "non-white" kids in our area, we know that he will always look different than most of his friends. However, moving into Junior High and beyond, and the "locker room factor", we believe that it is important that one significant difference be removed. Also, as I am, as his father, also circumcised, I don't want him to see me and feel alienated from his own family because of the difference.

In any case, I would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks.

[csw]

Please check out the long thread about this that was last replied to yesterday..also..if you do a search on the forums you will find lots of info on this...

[Carlee1boy]

We did it and are glad we did. My husband and our oldest son are circumcized. We thought it would make sense for them to look "alike."

Also, being a high school baseball coach, my husband was worried about the locker room factor as well.

I didn't realize the importance of the penis until I had boys!!!

Good luck.

Carolyn

[spidermanteache]

You might be surprised at the percentage of folks who are not circumsized. You may want to read more of the threads on this forum about circumsision like CSW mentioned. I am predicting that by the time our boys are in the locker room that the uncircumsized boys will be the majority. Anyone else want to chime in here?

[leaabc123]

I would agree that the locker room factor won't be a factor as time goes on. Circs are becoming less and less common.

[echaos]

Originally Posted by sespan

Also, as I am, as his father, also circumcised, I don't want him to see me and feel alienated from his own family because of the difference.

Think back to your child hood. How often did you and your father compare your penises? or were even naked together?

If you had a girl, she would look different then you, and different then you wife until well after puberty, but you wouldn't have surgery to change anything on her.

Just some things to think about.

[Amykk]

We chose not to circ. When we were trying to decide what to do, my Dad told me he was never circ'd (something I never knew and I have no idea why not - he was born in this country). He said the locker room was never an issue - he played sports all through high school and was very popular (married my mom, the homecoming queen).

[cmfayz]

We have also decided not to have our son circumcised. I was against circ from the start, however dh just assumed it was something we would do. After reading up on the topic and discussing it with Dr. and others, we have agreed not to do it. Now, we'll just have to adopt another little boy so they can be the same

[RLK913]

I think that this is a very personal decision that each family must make. There are valid arguments for each side including religious reasons. But I would advise you to think very hard and carefully about doing this if you are doing it only for cosmetic reasons. I don't know if Nathan would be circumsized if he had not had to undergo another procedure and had the two done at the same time.

Best of luck to you in making this difficult decision.

[Jett's Mama]

I am with you and we are not planning to have our Son circumsized. If it is not medically necessary- then he will not have to have an operation. I am not really concerned about the locker room aspect.

[quiescentfury]

Neither one of my sons are circumcized. After reading all the research we decided that our boys did not need to be. My brother, grandfather, and uncle are not. Talking to many new parents about this topic I find that more and more people are opting not to, unless it is for relgious reasons.

[mj77]

16 months old is a tough age to circ! We had our son done at 18 mo for medical issues. I would have had him circ'd at birth if I had him and that choice, but had he not had medical issues from not being circ'd we would have just left it alone. Poor guy had to be put under and stitched...His poor boy part was swollen and bloody . He did seem to recover quickly.

It is true that less boys are being circ'd now days. I would imagine my son is in the minority already here on the liberal "left" coast here. I tell you though, it was a bit of a relief to get my little son and him already be circ'd because, I didn't want that "looking different" factor. No, dads don't sit and compare, but my dh mimocked standing at the potty for my son, and my sons do sometimes bathe together still.

[bekalynn]

You'll find alot of varying views on this topic.... I agree with CSW if you search the forums..there are hoards of threads about it.

Here is a fairly recent thread...

Good luck with your decisions!!

[myforeverchild]

HI , just wanted to chime in as well , neither of my bio sons had the procedure done , I never even considered it. Where I am it's more uncommon to be "cut" than not. This is strongly my personal opinion and only that , what ever decision is made for your son is the right decision for you. Noone in my family had it done and after my brother having been in a horrible accident and received 3rd degree burns the doc said if he had of been circumsised , he would have lost it , obviously now he's done. I guess just leave nature be the way it is. I wouldn't worry too much about the locker room factor , both will be evident and your choice will defiently be the right choice for your son

[erinberry]

We would never circumcise any male children we have, unless the child had a medical problem that needed to be resolved. We feel that we do not have the right to cut off part of our child’s genitalia for cosmetic purposes. The foreskin serves specific purposes: keeping the glans moist and protecting it. The foreskin also enhances sexual pleasure.

More and more people in the US are choosing not to circumcise their sons. My husband is from the UK, where the vast majority of males are intact. He has never had any problem keeping himself clean or free of infection.


From our perspective, we have our various body parts for good reason, and no one should remove those parts from someone else's body without express permission (which an infant and small child can not give) unless there is a pressing medical need.


Good for you for thinking through this question instead of just doing it because it’s perceived that “everyone else” does it!