To Circumcise or Not to Circumcise
Hmmmm....so this is the question of the week. I've been doing a bit of reading, and I am not sure that there is any medical benefit to having our son circumcised. I get the impression that many American boys are circumcised because of cultural norms. After reading about the procedure, I'm beginning to think it isn't any different from female genital mutilation, which isn't exactly culturally accepted here in the U.S. Apparently Europeans are shocked by the rate at which American boys are circumcised, just like I was when I heard about the women in Africa that were having clitoridectomies forced upon them. Am I wrong to think this is an unnecessary procedure? Here is what I have been reading:
Circumcision Positions of Advocates and Critics
Arguments from both sides of the debate
Circumcision to Look Like Others
I guess nobody wants their child to feel different
Answers To Your Questions About Infant Circumcision
A FAQ file from the National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers
Deciding Whether or Not to Circumcise Your Baby Boy
Dr. Sears makes a pretty good argument on why not to circumcise
posted by Kelly @ 10:28 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
There are reasons for it in terms of cleanliness. Also, I think I remember reading that circumcisions may reduce the probability of contracting sexually transmitted diseases. But it's mainly a religious thing which has trickled down into what is defined as "normal" in the US.
The American Academy of Pediatrics concluded that there were no medical benefits, that is why it is an elective procedure. As far as cleaning goes, the area underneath the foreskin can be irritated with soap - just like little girls can get irritated from soap in their netheregions. It seems to me that this whole bizarre practice got started in the 1800s when people thought it would keep boys from playing with themselves. Little girls were suppose to have acid place on their genitals to decrease sensitivity. Thank god that practice was stopped.
Anyway....much of our decision is based on affordability too. Insurance won't cover it, and we don't have the money to pay for it. If medical needs arise later in life, we will have it done then, or he can decide to have it done later to fit in.
I really don't think it's a big deal at all. Like I said, it's mainly religious/extreme conservatism in motion. I seriously doubt that many people truly care if your son is circumcised or not anymore. But maybe that's just my viewpoint. I don't really see a need, other than the issue of cleaning when he gets older (I would image it would be similar to the belly button - I'm always getting lint and junk in there - but I'd never have a medical procedure to graft skin over my belly button...because that's kind of stupid).
It sounds like you've made your decision, so why are you being wishy-washy about it? ;)
I stumbled upon this site and was intrigued. I would like to add my two cents in...... I feel that money should not be a factor. Your child's health and well being should be priority over all else because a child's needs should AlWAYS come before our wants.
Well as a mommy of a boy, who is circumcised....first and foremost it's a matter of what you want to do...we did because #1 I rather that it be done now then when he is older and it would be more painful and something he will remember.
Secondly, from what we've read and been told by the doctor uncircumsised boys are more likely to develop urniary tract infections as far as any other medical reason, I don't know. We went back and forth on it as well and finally decided to do it. Again, in the end it's up to you.
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