Circumcising boys - has anyone got experience of this?

[Marty8542]

Hello all,
My husband and I have recently returned from the US, where our first son was born. As is very common in the States, our son was circumcised as a newborn, as a matter of routine.
We now have a second boy on the way, and he will be born in London. I just found out today that if we wanted our son to be circumcised, we'd have to arrange this ourselves and get it done privately on an outpatient basis. I've done a little looking online and can see that there are a few private clinics that offer newborn circumcision to parents who chose this for their sons.
Before I decide on where and when to get this done for our second son, does anyone have any experience or suggestions as to how best to chose which clinic, which method, at how many days old, etc?

CSDW - because OP didn't ask for discussions on the subject. Similarly, if someone asked where to get a tattoo done, they're not asking for views on tattooing, and if they ask about whether to have their DD as a bridesmaid, they're not looking for a lecture on pre-marital sex.

DH is adamant that he wants any future sons of ours to be circumcised... just because his American and every male in his family, and every single one of his friends (as far as he knows, lol) is circumcised. He says he just wants his son to be like him, that he's very happy with his circumcised penis, that it never did him any harm, and that people make way too big of deal out of it.

I'm definitely not keen, but he feels more strongly about it than I do, so I'm not sure how we'd resolve it. Maybe the sheer technical difficulty of finding a willing Dr would deter him, that'd be nice.

Yes Sam, but someone asking about tattoos will be an adult making a decision about what to do with their bodies, not about where to get their baby tattooed.

I know folk who have their genitals pierced. They made the choice to do that to their own bodies as adults.

Totally different.

I am against circumcision personally and my boys are intact. However, to the OP, my American friend had a boy here in the UK in the North East and had him done at/very soon after birth just like her eldest who was born in the USA. I don't recall her having any problems finding anyone to do it.

I can if you wish contact her and ask about her experience of going ahead with it in the UK. I would suggest that you are best off contacting Americans living in London for information on clinics and Drs.

"Maybe the sheer technical difficulty of finding a willing Dr would deter him, that'd be nice."

The balance should tip to the side of the status quo. The status quo of a penis is to have a foreskin.

So you just say no- this child will not be circumcised. Simple.

Yes, that's my argument, that in the face of disagreement surely the option that doesn't entail unnecessary surgery should win out. But he also does feel very strongly about it, which I don't, so that's another way to look at it. Maybe if I ever have a boy and hold the poor little thing in my arms I will start feeling very strongly that it's a horrible idea (as opposed to rather abstract intellectual disagreement). That's probably what will happen, actually.

As Keema says, I find it hard to not comment when someone is asking for advice on how to find someone to do such an unnecessary operation on a baby. I wouldn't comment on the examples you gave as they are adults making their own decisions.

Grown men who were circumcised at birth, will not know how it affects their sensitivity as they've never had it to compare.

Exactly. One of my posts points out that in fact, its belived that men WITH foreskins have increased sensitivity.
Unfortunately the poor sods who's parents chopped theirs off will never find out.

I just can't fathom holding my beautiful new baby in my arms and thinking 'Right, well in the name of TRADITION, I am going to get somebody to hold you down and cut bits of you off whilst you scream in agony'.

You feel protection and love for your babies, you want to hurt anybody that hurts or upsets them, you want to protect them from pain. Not allow somebody to inflict it for no good reason other than that's what you want.

Cruel, outdated and ignorant. This is the 21st century, we don't have to do this shit anymore.

I really try not to get involved in emotive arguments like circumcision (ie foxhunting, baby ear piercing) but for the love of all things fucked up - cutting the end of someones most sensitive part of their anatomy for no valid reason? really? how could anyone do that to their baby?

I think that's vile, really vile.

Now now Belleate, that's not very Cosmopolitan!

a bunch of others of you, you are tedious. I think you need to be a bit more cosmopolitan and culturally with it in your outlook, and show a bit more respect.
If you disagree with circumcision, as you clearly do, then that's fine, we'll agree to differ.

Seems like we lack 'culture' as well. I missed that one

I find it tedious that you are trying to justify mutilating a baby.

Would anyone be interested in a light hearted but very interesting video about why circumcision is still practiced as a matter-of-course in America?

Real Reasons for Circumcision

Why is this done when they are babies?

Is it because babies can't talk back, whereas an older child would say ''please don't hurt me?'' and would try to have a say in the decision?

Can somebody 'pro' circumcision please explain why it's done at such a young age?

Marty, you should watch this:

www.collegehumor.com/video/6966989/the-real-reason-youre-circumcised

er.....onelastfling...I just linked to that!

Our DS had it done. I have a great guy who uses local anaesthetic even though we had a jewish ceremony. People have very strong views but ignore them. It's a personal choice. AND there are many benefits such as STI transmission rates. Personally I think the cleanliness issue is moot as men can just wash properly!
PM me if you want details. My guy is a LOndon based urologist.

I just don't get the argument of wanting to be like other males in the family.

My DH was circ'ed for medical reasons as a child. Our 2 sons are not and honestly, it would not occur to any of them to need to be the same.

I honestly want to cry when I think of people around the world taking their newborn babies, their precious children, and letting them have something cut from them without anaesthetic. Boys and girls. It is utterly barbaric. It makes me feel sick.

Monsters, all of them.

Have you seen photos of children having their genitals mutilated, OP? Have you seen a video? Go and have a look and see the horror of it and then make a decision.

NerfHerder- it is really offensive to compare male circumcision to ANY form ofFGM. So ignorant.

Onelastfling- in terms of Judaism it is performed on the8th day after birth (as long as child is healthy) as prescribed in the Torah. It signifies G-DAS covenant with Abraham

"It's a personal choice." Shouldn't it be the personal choice of the owner of the penis concerned

"AND there are many benefits such as STI transmission rates."

One word. Condoms.
What are the other "many benefits?

I feel bad enough for DS having to be circumcised when he was 9 as his foreskin was way too tight.

Never have i felt so guilty putting him through that surgery, and the recovery.

So - no way would I condone it doing on a tiny baby purely for religious reasons. The similar 'religious/cultural' reasons that also condone FGM ? I don't hear anyone saying that's okay.