Circumcision

[SouthAfricanmuminUK]

I was thoroughly abused by several English mums of my acquaintance for having my sons circumcised at birth. Although I did my research and found it to be better from a number of perspectives, nothing would convince them it was reasonable. I am wondering if they will retract their accusations now that it has been revealed that Diana, saintliest of all mothers, had both her boys circumcised ...

They loved her and she loved them, I'm sure. But I'm not sure that she was in anyway a model of motherhood that I would wish to follow. So no.

Obviously it’s a cultural practice and therefore a sensitive issue. No loving parent intends to maim their child. But nevertheless, no, it is not reasonable to cut bits off your child’s genitalia for no medical reason and without their consent.

I'm pretty sure it's there for a reason, otherwise why would males have evolved to have it? I agree with most posters on here that unless it's for medical reasons, it's mutilatin pure and simple!

@SouthAfricanmuminUK circumcision is gential mutilation, I could never do that to a child without medical need. The fact Diana did it in the 70s or 80s does not in any way make it right. Asbestos was still used until the mid-80s, and wasn't properly banned until late 90s. Safe to say we know that was a mistake and don't build with it now! It was also routine to take out tonsils, again not done now!

You've made a permanent decision to modify your childs body, that was not medically necessary, that could have long term implications for him. I can't imagine he will thank you for it.

There’s lots of evidence it reduces the risk of HIV and HPV transmission.

But If their old enough to have sex wouldn't wearing condoms prevent this?

Nope. Circumcision is still mutilation. It's still violating a vulnerable baby's body autonomy. Still despicable. You should still be ashamed of your choice.

Would you have liked to have your labia cut off as a baby, @SouthAfricanmuminUK? Would you justify that by saying it's easier to keep clean or less prone to UTIs?

So do condoms. Not a good enough reason.

@1000umbrellas Thanks for that. The voluntary is important, glad you noted that.

Interested to hear OPs view, but I can wait.

I am firmly in the - medically necessary, or choice made as adult - camp. But trying to be open minded.

Mutilation and a violation of a child's rights unless medically necessary.

No matter what people think about circumcision people need to stop comparing it to FGM!
It is in no way comparable and if anything it make FGM sound "not so bad"

Was the pic in case we don’t know who Diana is?

It just makes me think less of Diana.

1. Teach boys to clean their penis and cleanliness will never be an issue. Would you cut off a girls inner labia to make washing easier?

1. It looks better to whom??? Arbitrary standard and totally culturally dependent. Presumably he won't be living in and dating African women and circumcised is a rather odd look among UK/European women

1. Pretty much all girls receive HPV vaccines now. Plus condoms exist for a reason.

All entirely shitty reasons

1. Cleaner - urgh. That's the way people in cultures with FGM talk about women who've had FGM. It's not cleaner, particularly in societies with access to water.

1. Looking better - [steam comes out of ears] rubbish. That's completely subjective, not a good reason to do it and the fewer boys have it done, the more normal an intact body is going to look.

1. Cervical cancer - irrelevant now we have HPV vaccination. Even without that it would depend on everyone being faithful to one partner lifelong.

Anything else?

Look, I had this done to my son, apparently you did too. I don't now have sleepless nights over it but I'm not going to stand by while this stuff is promoted.

I thought it was only William that was circumcised so presumably for medical reasons?

I assumed that as Harry commented on it as though it made William different from him.

DH had it done for medical reasons age 9.
He said it was an agonising recovery. Just because a baby won’t remember the pain, doesn’t make it ok.
Incidentally, sex with an uncircumcised penis gives a better sensation from my experience.

As for the prostate cancer issue, your publication is overstating the benefits
Results. Circumcised men had a slightly lower risk, albeit not statistically significant, of developing prostate cancer than uncircumcised men (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.76–1.04). Circumcision was found to be protective in men circumcised aged ≥36 years (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.30–0.98).

Looking better is subjective

Potentially reduces sexual pleasure

Taking the choice away from your sons and their bodily is awful parenting

Where is that leaflet from please OP ? cite your sources.

I will never agree in cutting bits off or putting holes in babies. It's mutilation. I lose respect for anyone who does either of those things. Like people can't be arsed to teach their sons how to wash.

Even though I know this is a goady thread

@SouthAfricanmuminUK so when are you having your inner labia removed then?

How exactly do these several acquaintances know these details about your sons' penises?

Do you have a daughter?

Have you removed her clitoral hood for hygiene?

OP sounds like the type to lecture other mums about the benefits of circumcision...