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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Wow; it's only circumcision..

781 replies

Chloejp91 · 29/12/2010 22:11

Before I get killed, I'm not suggesting it is only circumsion, that's just the title of this thread.

I'm due in less than 4 weeks and I'm having a boy. I'm definitely going to circumcise him. It's part of my culture and my partner's culture so it's going to be done. I just feel sad that it's seen as such a bad thing, where there are some benefits to it.

Anyone circumsised/circumsizing their sons?

OP posts:
NormaStanleyFletcher · 29/12/2010 22:13

Nope.

Will not and never remove parts of my children without medical need

Sorry

ShowOfHands · 29/12/2010 22:13

I'm very interested in what the benefits are.

Can you see it from the point of view of people who think it's abhorrent?

ginhag · 29/12/2010 22:15

Why is it the title of the thread if that is not what you are suggesting? Confused

Seems a strange approach to any topic...

NormaStanleyFletcher · 29/12/2010 22:15

Or the point of view of the men who had it done to them as babies and are now trying to grow back a part of them that was cut off (usually without pain relief)

LadyintheRadiator · 29/12/2010 22:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hester · 29/12/2010 22:18

Hi Chloe, you are going to get SLAUGHTERED on this thread. This issue arouses very strong feelings on MN.

My culture also circumcises and I don't have any problem with what you're doing. But I may be a lone voice here!

Chloejp91 · 29/12/2010 22:18

I can see it in the point of view of people who disagree, I've even read articles as to why it shouldn't be done but I've only known that when a boy is born you pretty much should circumcise.

Naively I didn't know what an uncircumcised penis looked like or even existed until I was 17.

Here are some benefits, I'm sorry it's really long:
There are several:

1 Many older men, who have bladder or prostate gland problems, also develop difficulties with their foreskins due to their surgeon's handling, cleaning, and using instruments. Some of these patients will need circumcising. Afterwards it is often astonishing to find some who have never ever seen their glans (knob) exposed before!

2 Some older men develop cancer of the penis - about 1 in 1000 - fairly rare, but tragic if you or your son are in that small statistic. Infant circumcision gives almost 100% protection, and young adult circumcision also gives a large degree of protection.

3 Cancer of the cervix in women is due to the Human Papilloma Virus. It thrives under and on the foreskin from where it can be transmitted during intercourse. An article in the British Medical Journal in April 2002 suggested that at least 20% of cancer of the cervix would be avoided if all men were circumcised. Surely that alone makes it worth doing?

4 Protection against HIV and AIDS. Another British Medical Journal article in May 2000 suggested that circumcised men are 8 times less likely to contract the HIV virus. (It is very important here to say that the risk is still far too high and that condoms and safe sex must be used - this applies also to preventing cancer of the cervix in women who have several partners.)

A BBC television programme in November 2000 showed two Ugandan tribes across the valley from one another. One practised circumcision and had very little AIDS, whereas, it was common in the other tribe, who then also started circumcising. This programme showed how the infection thrived in the lining of the foreskin, making it much easier to pass on.

5 As with HIV, so some protection exists against other sexually transmitted infections. Accordingly, if a condom splits or comes off, there is some protection for the couple. However, the only safe sex is to stick to one partner or abstain.

6 Lots of men, and their partners, prefer the appearance of their penis after circumcision, It is odour-free, it feels cleaner, and they enjoy better sex. Awareness of a good body image is a very important factor in building self confidence.

7 Balanitis is an unpleasant, often recurring, inflammation of the glans. It is quite common and can be prevented by circumcision.

8 Urinary tract infections sometimes occur in babies and can be quite serious. Circumcision in infancy makes it 10 times less likely.

OP posts:
faverolles · 29/12/2010 22:18

Ds was circumcised aged 6 for medical reasons.
I don't understand why it would be done otherwise.

I have read the bible, including the reasoning behind circumcision, but there are so many things in the old testament that I can't see any religion now condoning, that I truly see this as outdated and unnecessary.

NormaStanleyFletcher · 29/12/2010 22:18

Actually, this has been done to death and this must be a wind up non?

truffleshuffle · 29/12/2010 22:18

What do you mean you're not suggesting it's 'only cicumcision'.....that's just the title of this thread. That doesn't make sense, of course you're suggesting that!

And no I haven't had my DS circumcised. He will keep his foreskin unless there is medical need for him to have it removed.

pooka · 29/12/2010 22:18

Well,to be fair, you are kind of suggesting"it's only circumcision" by having it as a thread title. Confused

Nope. No way. Never. Have 2 sons.

Of course if they had a medical condition that required circumcision as a last resort, then would take the advice of medical experts.

But for any other reason? No way.

Was hard enough dealing with ds2 needing blood tests and a blood transfusion at one month old as a result of a medical condition. Could not purposefully inflict an unnecessary and painful procedure on an infant.

And bollocks to anyone who says it doesn't really hurt. Just because a baby cannot struggle or express pain or shock adequately does not mean it hurts them less than it would if your dh were to have a circumcision without a general anaesthetic now as an adult. And that's just the op itself - not the aftercare/pain.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 29/12/2010 22:18

If it was your cultures practise to circumcise girls,and you had a girl, would you?

If it was your cultures practice to remove the pinkie finger of the left hand, would you?

Just because something is embedded in your culture/ religion doesn't make it right.

Mutilating a child is wrong. If it is that important to you, why not wait until your DS is old enough to make his own decision about whether to follow this tradition.

Natty67 · 29/12/2010 22:19

Chloejp unless it is in one's culture you won't find much sympathy.. It is in mine but even I had to get my head around it.. my ds is 10 now and does he remember a thing.. No! But I do :o

Alouiseg · 29/12/2010 22:19

My son had it done for medical reasons aged 9. Anyone who voluntarily puts their child through such a barbaric process is committing child abuse. Check out some of the links on that thread, especially the death stats.

ShowOfHands · 29/12/2010 22:20

Culture's a bit of a red herring really. It seems to replace 'common' or 'the norm' for argument's sake when really it's nothing to do with culture and everything to do with habit and historical behaviour. See ear piercing for example. Suppose it depends on your definition of culture.

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 29/12/2010 22:20

Culture dictates many things it seems Hmm

This subject has been done to death, along with pierced ears on babies (also for cultural reasons). You either accept it, or you don't..and never the twain shall meet, it seems

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 29/12/2010 22:21

One too many "it seems" there, it seems! Blush

pooka · 29/12/2010 22:21

Most of the "benefits" you're referring to could be dealt with just as easily by teaching a child about good hygiene and safe sex.

Rather than cutting off a useful part of the penis.

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 29/12/2010 22:23

I wonder if you'd be quite so accepting of the 'benefits' if it related to female circumcision?

truffleshuffle · 29/12/2010 22:24

OP - the majority of the perceived benefits of circumcision that you have listed are related to STI's. Condoms have the same effect.

ShowOfHands · 29/12/2010 22:24

Your list of benefits don't really stand up to scrutiny. We don't habitually lop off other bits of the body that can become cancerous in a small part of the population.

I don't buy the aesthetics/appearance/confidence thing at all. I think the message that you were born imperfect and needed improving to look/feel better is far more damaging than having a foreskin. And in terms of sex it reduces sensation generally I believe so is not necessarily a benefit.

Most of your list can be wiped out by good hygiene and practising safe sex tbh.

Nothing you've stated stands even remotely against the sheer barbarism of the act.

ScarlettWalking · 29/12/2010 22:25

watch a video of the operation on you tube and then come back onto the thread and say you are still going to go ahead with it

ShowOfHands · 29/12/2010 22:25

Or what pooka et al said!!

3littlefrogs · 29/12/2010 22:26

I saw circumcisions done on new born babies in USA in the 80s.

The babies were strapped to boards by their arms and legs. No pain relief was given. the procedure was done by obstetricians, for money. Paediatricians refused to carry out this procedure.

It was horrific, and, IMO barbaric. The parents of the babies had no idea what the procedure was like and how the poor babies screamed in agony. Some of the people doing the procedure were totally incompetent.

Sorry, but I just can't see a good reason for it.

Teaching good personal hygiene would seem to me to be perfectly adequate.

ShowOfHands · 29/12/2010 22:26

OP are you doing it for religious reasons? What 'culture' are you from?

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