To Be or Not to Be - Jacksonville,FL

I think it is a personal choice. I chose to have my sons circumcised, but that was the choice I was comfortable with. Every man I know who is uncircumcised is completely fine with it. Don't worry about it. I think those are just individual cases.

It's your child. It's your choice. Don't let yourself be convinced just because someone else is uncomfortable with it.

Whether parents circumsize their son(s) is a personal choice. I am always aghast at how so many people belittle those who make different choices for their children. After having 2 girls, I felt like this was new territory for us when we found out our 3rd child was a boy. We researched the topic extensively and were quite certain it is not medically necessary. I don't buy the "locker room" argument either. We were 95% certain that we were NOT going to do it. In the end we made the decision after consulting with a neonatologist. He stated that the only reason that they recommend it is if there is a family history of UTI and/or bladder infections. Well our second daughter had stage 4 renal reflux and had to have a procedure to correct it at the age of 2. That is the ONLY reason we circumcised our son.

Do what feels right for you as a family and you should have no regrets! :o)

It's of religious origin, which stems from having sexual pleasure eliminated or restricted.
I did have my three boys circ'd because their father is. However, looking back, I see it as unnecessary. I know many men who are not (Europeans, Latins, esp) circ'd and they experience heightened sexual pleasure. We're talking about cutting off the clitoris, too (for girls, so popular in Africa and the Middle East) another religious misbelief that sex is not for pleasure, only for reproduction.
I hope to impress upon you that taking care of your children includes thorough washing and think of the genitals as you would teach them to clean the ears, blow the nose, brush teeth...
You didn't mention the age of your boy(s)...My oldest had a circ. when he was two because he had a hypo-spadius. Different story. It was necessary surgery.
Circumcision on a voluntary basis is not. Please relax and know that you do not have to do this, and your sons will thank you...So will their wives...
Blessings, S.

Breastfeeding/fomula....
Stay-at-home/go-back-to-work....
Circumcision/or not....

You can find soooooo many stories and so-called "studies" on each of the above, arguing wholeheartedly and passionately about EACH side of each decision... but it's all a personal decision and NO ONE should try to make anyone else feel guilty for the decisions we make as parents.

My personal experience... I decided to do it for both of my sons. I just have to say that so far I am sooooooooooo glad I did it because I keep hearing "as long as you teach your son to clean it properly"..... well I have to tell you that I have an 11 year old boy. He is otherwise an awesome kid--- but cleanliness is NOT in his radar. I have to remind him twice a day, EVERY SINGLE DAY to brush his teeth or else he doesn't do it at all--- he went camping with Boy Scouts for a whole week and came back with TWO pairs of dirty underwear and 2 pairs of dirty socks (ewwww! boys are so gross!!!! He actually showered daily and then put his dirty clothes back on!!!) So no matter what you teach them, at some point you have to trust them on their own in the shower. I have spoken to parents of my son's friends and they all agree that the boys would never bathe or brush their teeth if it wasn't for us reminding and forcing them to do so. Just food for thought. And one more thing on the circumcision--- the "he should look like his father" line always makes me laugh!!! Do people really think men and their sons stand around comparing their privates???? My husband is uncomfortable being naked around our children so I don't think my sons would have any clue if they "looked the same" as their dad down there. All that matters is that my kids look like their father in their FACE!

well, I agree with you that it is a personal decision. However, for me, when we had our son their was no question that I would have him circumcised. My reasoning was:
1. I'm a Christian and felt it was obedient and glorifying to God. (although I do not believe you must be circumcised to be saved)
2. Cleanliness- I felt it was more sanitary
3. His future wife- I think it is more attractive

I have never heard any man say that his circumcision hurt later in life or was uncomfortable. I have only heard that uncircumcised men wish they were.

It is your choice to not circumcise your son. You only need to be watchful that you pull the skin back to throrouly clean the area and teach him to do it properly too. He should have no problem whatsoever. No gult involved.

What a controversial subject. So it does come down to a personal choice. I did do the research- pros and cons. I overwhelming felt it was not the right option for my son. I feel so good about it, like I did the right thing. However, my husband wanted him to be circumsized (he was. So it's a subject we don't talk about. My OB (Dr. DiLorenzo) also told me there is medically no reason to do it.
Good luck! You just got to go with your heart. Don't feel pressured either way.

As long as your son's are taught to clean themselves properly they won't have any problems. While they are small you pull it back just to where it goes while cleaning. You don't force it. It gradually loosens. And don't worry about diseases and such. That concern remains in third world countries that lack proper medical care, education and hygienic conditions. More and more families are choosing to not put their kids thru an unnecessary medical procedure and all these boys are just fine. I always love the "locker room" argument. Honestly! Kids are going to give each other a hard time no matter what-circumcised or not. And there are alot more boys these days that won't be circumcised. Most of my friends have chosen not to do it. My son was a preemie and they wouldn't have done the circumcision until he left the hospital at 6 weeks! I could see no reason to put him thru that after he'd been thru so much already and I don't regret it for a second. He's perfectly fine and knows how to pull it back and clean himself well.

I can tell you I was on the fence when I was pg with my son. I knew it was the "norm" to have it done but I just didn't feel comfortable putting him through all of that. Right before he was born we decided (barely) that we would do it. Well God had other plans. My son was born at 10 lbs and was in the NICU for 8 days where he gained another pound. So by the time I got him to the doctor I had to take him to a specialist. At the Specialist's office they told me unless medically necessary they don't encourage them anymore. If it's a religious belief they understand but they don't want people feeling peer pressured into it. The percentages of infection and disease are less than 2% (this is coming from my doctor). There were so many factors pointing the other way for us:
- Being that my son was so big they would have to get special permissions from the head doctor just to perform it
- If they got permission to do it it may be an actual surgery, putting him to sleep, because of his weight
- Because of his age (1 month between NICU and getting an appt with the specialist) my insurance might not cover it.

Since we were on the fence anyways about it and all of these things popped up I figured it was God's way of telling me to leave him au naturale. =) He's 2.5 now and we've had no problems with it at all.

So DEFINITELY don't feel guilty about your decision. I read the posts and it seems you have a lot of support (ignore ignorance). It was right for you and your family and that's that!

Don't know how old your son is, but the sooner you get it done the better. You don't want your son to be ashamed that he is different, but most importantly for sanitary reasons. Its hard to keep it clean if uncircumsized, as the day goes on it gets gunked up and harbors bacteria and it smells. And based on my experience being with an uncircumsized man meant bacterial infections for me. And yes they will be more suseptable to all diseases. To be circumsized as an adult is problematic for many, I have heard horror stories too. I would do it now, then it will never be an issue for him when he gets older.

My husband is not circumcised and he has had no problems and we will not circumcise a son if we have one. I have a friend that circumcised her son after birth and he had many issues until he was at least three (I'm not sure if he's had problems recently). He would get red, sore and the skin would break open. I think it's all individual. Go with your mommy instinct. There are always going to be other opinions and experiences out there that people will share. You did what you felt was right and be confident in that! There is certainly no right or wrong. It doesn't seem right to me to cut off a piece of skin from a baby that it was obviously born with for some reason!

Pat,
My opinion is like you said, a personal decision. For my boys, I wouldnt have not done it. But that is what what "right" for my family.
Stick to your decision & be okay with it.
H.

I have heard that it's usually best to do for your son whatever your husband had done. So if your husband's not circumcised and you both feel comfortable with that, don't let freak occurrences worry you!!! And as far as infection goes, it's all about proper hygiene. If your husband knows how to take care of himself, it will not be difficult for him to pass these habits on to your son.

You're absolutely right--this is a personal choice--there isn't a right or wrong answer. Follow your heart!!! People who have had bad experiences are more likely to share them than those who haven't, so the negative seems way more prevalent than it actually is.

Hi Pat,
I have a beautiful 4 y.o., who was circumcised at about 15 days of age. It is some new technique where the skin was split but not removed. He has never had a problem, and is fine. A friend had to have her son 'done' at age 3+ y.o. because she could no longer pull the skin back without him having pain - he is now 11+ and does not have any problem, but was very miserable when it was done. The only thing is that they need to be changed the minute they are wet - it burns the wound.
Good luck with your son!
G.

I have 4 sons,all uncircumcised. Don't worry about what MAY be. DO teach them proper cleaning etc....it is more common than you think.It is a personal decision, so don't second guess yourself.:>) Research it to ease your mind. There is no medical reason to do so in normal situations and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise! Blessings.

Circumcision is NOT a universal thing. Circumcicision was preformed in Jewish families. Today it has been adapted as the norm in America. Many countries do not believe in the positive interpretation of citcumcicion. I have 2 sons and researched this subject very heavily. Both have pros and cons and at the end of the day it is a choice that you and your mate make for your child.
I asked many people and I was amazed about how over the top some people were with their attituted and opinions. One man finally confirmed my feeling - My doctor - my Jewish Obstetrician - who said to me that he has delivered many children and to date does not understand the reasoning behind the continuence and popularity of circumcicision and if he had known back then what he knows today about some of the research, he would never allowed for his son to be circumcised, but it was a religious choice for him. Maybe a good idea to surround yourself with positive moms that respect you and don't make you feel guilty for your opinion.

You seem uneasy with your decision. A very young baby's nerve endings are not as refined as a grown up man. I suggest that you speak to your pediatrician.

As far as a circumcision "popping' I've never heard of it. Perhaps he didn't wait until the wound was healed before having intercourse.

You've already received so much feedback and as most, I believe it's a personal choice and that whatever decision you make will be the "right" one for your family.
In case you haven't had the opportunity yet...research penile cancer and circumcision. I'm not certain, but I thought there is research regarding this subject that supports circumcision due to decreased risk of penile cancer.

I wouldn't worry my Sons not circumcised and I'm not worried a bit

The choice is ultimately yours, and I actually was surprised at the amount of women giving advice who had not circumcised. I thought it was more common than it appears to be. Anyway, I had my son circumcised at birth. My husband had been uncircumcised, but when he was 16 years old he was having some sort of problem and was self-consciuos in the locker room to boot, and he ended up having one then and he said it was excruciating. He had to have stitches (not necessary when it's done as a baby), and then the stitches ended up popping (erections are frequently involuntary, i.e. in the morning, etc.), and he said he wished his parents would have done it when he was a baby. It is true that it hurts more as an adult (as does a tonsillectomy!). I also read a study that the AIDS virus somehow has a higher risk of being contracted in uncircumcised men when with an infected partner. I'm sure you could maybe find that on the CDC website or something. Also, as a medical transcriptionist, I type reports of children and men of all ages who comes in with problems from skin adhering to itself from not being retracted properly, yeast infections, etc. from being uncircumcised and a lot of times just end up electing to get it done after having such problems. You should do what you feel is right, and I'm definitely not trying to sway you in one direction. I'm just passing on the information that I had gradually come across over the years. Best of luck to you, and I'm sure whatever you decide will be the right decision for you.

Remember everyone has there own opinion. I have known plenty of men ( friends and family members) circumcised and uncircumcised and one is not better than the other. Their reasons for circumcision depended on the year they were born or religion or what their mothers' physician believed at the time. Be confident in your own decision. You seem educated enough to research and decide what is best for your child.