Post # 1

Member
9680 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
The title speaks for itself – did you circumcise your son? If you don’t have a son yet, would you? This “issue” has been coming up in my social circle lately (weird, I know) and I was just wondering what the norms are. Obviously whatever I learn on the Bee has to be correct, right? 😀
If your comfortable, can you explain your thought process behind your decision?
Post # 3

Member
6884 posts
Busy Beekeeper
We did as we both wanted it done for him. It was a mutual decision. Now my BIL/SIL who’s son is 7 months younger than our son did not.
Post # 4

Member
1812 posts
Buzzing bee
- Wedding: May 2013 - Pavilion overlooking golf course scenery, reception at banquet hall
I think I’m going to allow my then-husband to make that call.
Post # 5

Member
2909 posts
Sugar bee
@MrsPanda99: No, we did not. We were not comfortable surgically altering his body without his consent in a non-emergency situation.
Post # 6

Member
2399 posts
Buzzing bee
We would based on the fact that everyone I know has gotten their son circumcised. I don’t know all the details about it (thankfully I have one DD and another on the way) so I can’t make a firm decision.
Question: Isn’t it healthier for the penis to be circumcised?
Post # 7

Member
830 posts
Busy bee
I wouldn’t want to, unless DH was super passionate about it, which he’s not. To me, it’s unnecessary pain for no real reason. My first boyfriend wasn’t circumcised, and it was never an issue for him or me. I just think it’s an odd thing to do.
Post # 8

Member
7768 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
There is no medical organization in the world that recommends it. It is completely unecessary. I am happy that the culture in US is moving away from it, as it is barbaric. The nurse at our “Caring for Newborn” class, here in the midwest- straight up told the silent room of people when discussing the subject, “there is no medical reason for circumcision.” Obviously, I have strong opinions on this. I would never chop up a baby’s penis, and I don’t know how anyone could. I watched one done and it was horrific.
Post # 9

Member
3459 posts
Sugar bee
Interesting question. It doesn’t make a huge difference to me (because as his mother, why do I really care, right? lol). My fiance isn’t circumcized. Also I think my brother isn’t circumcized and I know for sure that my nephew isn’t. Not coincidentally, the three of them were raised by single mothers so maybe they had my same perspective (i.e. “who cares, it’s just a penis”). I assume my fiance will decline to circumcize our sons since he doesn’t seem to mind the fact that he isn’t.
Post # 10

Member
1285 posts
Bumble bee
Yes. I chose to do it for his health and various health reasons/issues when he is an adult, not because it’s a routine procedure in some cultures/religions.
Post # 11

Member
9680 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
@Jijitattoo: I feel this way too.
@figgnewton: They say it is “cleaner” but if the man has proper hygiene, then that is a moot point. I agree that it seems very common though. Chances are the man would want the son to have the “type” of penis that he has.
@aggie2010: I don’t have a penis or know how this issue is perceived among men, so I agree that my Fiance is probably the one who should make the call.
Post # 12

Member
9560 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
1. Jewish tradition to have a bris (circumcition) for a boy.
2. Recommended by doctors for sanitary/health reasons.
So yes, absolutely we will be doing it unless there a medical reason not to.
(Ie, my brother was born with a neurological birth defect and my mother discussed with the doctors and they decided it was best not to have him circumcized.)
Post # 13

Member
9680 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
@cbee: Really? I don’t know any of the medical arguments for or against it. I really have no knowledge about it at all. Like
@Overjoyed: said, it’s a penis, what do I care? But seriously, I would want to make the best, most informed decision possible (and I’m sure there is a lot of disagreement over what the best, most informed decision possible is).
Post # 14

Member
1776 posts
Buzzing bee
I think this is going to be a skewed poll because in countries besides the US it is very rare to circumcise (at least I am pretty confident about this). Anyway, my husband was very pro circumcision, I was sort of 50/50 on it. The area we live, most men we know are circumcised. We decided to do it after talking with the pediatrician we had chosen. She encouraged us to do it because of the health benefits (less chance of uti, easier to keep clean, less risk of hpv, less risk of tears, etc.). Yes it is possible to keep it very clean if uncircumcised, so please don’t flame me, just repeating what my doctor said.
We were in the room while my son had the procedure, they gave him a sugar pop to lick while they did it and two numbing needles. He did not cry at all through it and was fine for the rest of the day (no random crying 4-6 hours later when the shots wore off I mean).
Post # 15

Member
2399 posts
Buzzing bee
@aggie2010: +1
@MrsPanda99: Yeah if we DID have a son then my husband would make that call. I don’t have a penis and don’t know what feels comfortable. haha Totally agree with you on the
man would want the son to have the “type” of penis that he has.
Post # 16

Member
142 posts
Blushing bee
No, I’m in the UK and it’s just not done here unless for religious or emergency medical reasons. In fact in much of the UK you’d be hard-pressed to find a doctor who would do it for non-religious/medical reasons.