Not circumsized til 1??

[Lilypad]

I agree with most in that I can't understand why the doctor wants to wait until 1. That seems a little cruel.

But I am also in the minority in that I will not circumcize my son. I think that the only good reason for doing it is a religious belief or a SERIOUS health issue. Because a man or a boy does not take pride in keeping himself clean is not a good reason in my opinion. My husband is not circumcized and that is fine by me. He also has never had an infection of any sort in his life and knows how to keep himself clean because his mother taught him and made sure that he did it, just like anything else a mother does to keep their child safe.

That said, some kids are prone to infections no matter what you do. So, if it became a serious chronic issue, that is something I would do for the safety of my child, not just because he MIGHT get an infection.

As for teasing, it happens to every kid about something at some point, they need to learn how to respond appropriately.

Also, I agree with Becca that female mutilation is NOT the same issue. That is done for the degradation of women and there is NO good reason IMO.

[lismom2]

I still don't think it's cruel to wait until your loved one can have full anesthetic to have the procedure done. Most doctors only use a topical (IF they use any anesthetic at all) when doing circ's and that does not cover the INSIDE of the foreskin.

I used to think that FGM and Routine Infant Circ were nowhere near the same. I used to dismiss the similarity in Women Studies Classes in college (a decade ago- ack!) But the more I read/learn the more the two arguments sound too much alike (cleaniliness, appearance, social conformity..). IMO, genital skinning is genital skinning. RIC is not 'just a little cut' as we're led to believe. It is literally peeling the skin off of genitals.

I think one of the things that gets me so riled up about RIC is that with my first child, we deliberately did not find out the gender of our child prior to her birth and if she had been born a boy, I would have circed. I now know I was uninformed about the procedure and now seek to educate/inform others who may not have really thought about it, or just don't really know about circ at all. Many people view these discussions and never post, but if I can educate or sway someone who is on the fence, awesome. All I can do in the end is lead a hourse to water. I can't force it to drink, but if I'm lucky, it just might.

As for comparing tattooing and piercing oneself to circing an infant- I too am tattooed and pierced, but I made those decisions, they were not made for me. I happily argue that they are no in way the same thing

SiMama, I know that you are doing what you feel is best for your son (which, btw, I LOVE the name Silas- totally off topic..), and despite my opinions, I really do respect that. I hope you're not too ticked by the current three page debate, and again, I don't think your doc is crazy for having you wait. One year in the entire life of your babe is a very small amount of time. He's already a couple of months old, so what's the harm in waiting a bit? One year old diapers are not nearly as messy as 3 month old diapers and you will be able to give him medications for pain that he will feel.

[H.Starr]

I just want to comment on the pain aspect. My son never even felt it. Maybe for the split second it happened, but he was peaceful as could be by the time they brought him back to me less than 15 mins later.
And he never had any issues with getting it cleaned or during diaper changes afterwards. He never even noticed.
But I think if I had it done now at 10 months old, or in two more months at a year, he'd notice! Pain killers or not.

[sarr115]

I can understand you mom's having strong oppinions and that is fine. But the OP didn't ask for a debate and only wanted help figuring out if she should circumcise her son now or in a year.

I think its way better and safer to get it done now.

[lismom2]

Throughout this whole thread I've been debating on finding and posting the Penn & Teller episode on circumcision. For anyone interested
http://video.yahoo.com/watch/620449/2940202
WARNING!! This is Penn & Teller, so expect graphic.

[craftyashley]

Ok seriously, it really gets me upset that some women on here are comparing genital mutilation to male circumcision. I was close friends with a girl who's gentials were mutilated by her family. It is not done for cleanliness or to ward off infection- it is done to keep women from enjoying sex and therefore seeking it out with men other than their husband. To compare the routine circumsicion done to males to prevent against infection (and the use of antibiotics to treat these infections) to the trauma suffered by innocent women is truly an insult. I know you can all find "facts" on the internet, but remember it's the internet. Anyone can make a fancy looking website with their own version of "facts."

As for waiting one year- that sounds much worse than doing it in the first few weeks of life. I would not, as a mother, do that to my son. Get a second opinion and find a doc who will do it early.

[angel25705]

Deleting all my posts because of the sicko wanting pictures of our kids.

[H.Starr]

Ok seriously, it really gets me upset that some women on here are comparing genital mutilation to male circumcision. I was close friends with a girl who's gentials were mutilated by her family. It is not done for cleanliness or to ward off infection- it is done to keep women from enjoying sex and therefore seeking it out with men other than their husband. To compare the routine circumsicion done to males to prevent against infection (and the use of antibiotics to treat these infections) to the trauma suffered by innocent women is truly an insult. I know you can all find "facts" on the internet, but remember it's the internet. Anyone can make a fancy looking website with their own version of "facts."

I agree. I think it just makes you sound ignorant, regardless of how many "facts" you have to support yourself.
The two are nowhere near the same, and anyone with an ounce of common sense/intelligence can see that.

[mom2aboy]

I have to say that before coming to this country, I thought the only people that got circumcised were hebrews. I've never met a male to be this way before, none in my family is circumcised and I dont remember a cousin, brother or friend having an infection down there. My son is intact and he's never had one. My husband's been perfectly fine his whole live. In my country adults teach kids to clean themselves at a very young age. I dont think a circumcised penis would be a pleasant sight for me and I wouldnt put my kids thru that. I say this because every practice in the world has much to do with our culture and our beliefs and who we are. The fact that we do it or not doesnt make it better or worse, to each their own. In the case of the poster I would get a second opinion, if you are not happy with you doctor. If you think I would be better if done ASAP, then demand it from your doctor or change doctors. What you decide is better for you and your family I wish you good luck!!

[lismom2]

Ok seriously, it really gets me upset that some women on here are comparing genital mutilation to male circumcision. I was close friends with a girl who's gentials were mutilated by her family. It is not done for cleanliness or to ward off infection- it is done to keep women from enjoying sex and therefore seeking it out with men other than their husband. To compare the routine circumsicion done to males to prevent against infection (and the use of antibiotics to treat these infections) to the trauma suffered by innocent women is truly an insult. I know you can all find "facts" on the internet, but remember it's the internet. Anyone can make a fancy looking website with their own version of "facts."

As for waiting one year- that sounds much worse than doing it in the first few weeks of life. I would not, as a mother, do that to my son. Get a second opinion and find a doc who will do it early.

How is the cutting of genitals not the same?? For ANY reason???? It is not insulting to compare the two. They are both horrific (yes, horrific) acts against another person.